Abbas the Great was
Shah Abbas I of
Persia, born in
1571. He was the
peak of the
Safavid Dynasty which had been founded by his ancestors in
1500 and established the
Shi'ite branch of
Islam as the state religion of
Persia (as it still is of
Iran).
When Abbas became Shah in
1588, he inherited a war with
the Ottoman Empire on his western border, which he stopped in
1590 by conceding some territory to the Turks. Over the next decade he concentrated on driving the
Uzbeks who were invading Persia on its northeastern border, which he accomplished in
1598, and then returned to retake the land from the Ottomans. He also threw the
Portuguese out in
1622 when they attempted to establish a
colony at
Hormuz (though he had some
British help).
Abbas moved the Persian capital to Isfahan, rebuilding the city with numerous mosques, religious colleges, public baths, wide streets, and gardens. He also did his best to increase the number and quality of public works and artistic achievements throughout Persia; his reign is the beginning of the export of Persian carpets to Europe and their reputation for fine quality.
Toward the end of his reign he tried to conquer Mesopotamia, but died in 1628 before this could be accomplished.
Sources:
http://w1.xrefer.com/entry/209039
http://www.mche.or.ir/twas/iran-tour/safavids.html
http://www.bartleby.com/65/ab/Abbas1.html
http://www.2747.com/2747/world/metropolis/isfahan/abbas/abbas.htm