[known as
'Abbas the Great
] (born Jan. 27, 1571—died Jan. 19, 1629) Shah of Persia (1587–1629). Succeeding his father, Muhammad Shah, he strengthened the
Safavid dynasty
by expelling Ottoman and Uzbek troops and creating a standing army. 'Abbas made
Esfahan
Persia's capital, and under him it became one of the world's most beautiful cities. Persian artistic achievement ...