Evaluate the impact of other civilizations—particularly the Sassanian heritage—on ‘Abbasid governance and culture.

To what extent did internal rifts rather than external factors (including the Mongol invasion) account for the decline of ‘Abbasid authority?

To what extent was the conquest of Egypt (969) a turning point in Fatimid power and influence?

Discuss how Fatimid ideology shaped religious relations among Muslims, Coptic Christians and Jews.