Final answer:
Shah Abbas promoted cultural blending in his empire by encouraging diverse populations to settle in his capital city, supporting the translation of ancient works, and patronizing the arts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Shah Abbas promoted cultural blending in his empire through several strategies. Firstly, he encouraged different populations such as Armenians, Jewish people, and Caucasian peoples to settle in his capital city, Isfahan. This diverse population added to the cultural mix of the empire. Secondly, Shah Abbas supported the translation of ancient works into Arabic, which helped preserve knowledge and foster cultural exchange. Lastly, Shah Abbas patronized the arts, particularly painting and architecture, allowing for the development of a rich Perso-Islamic culture.