Question

How did the Abbasid Caliphate transform who governed the empire?

Answer 1

They were replaced by the Abbasids (750-1258), who were related to Muhammad through his uncle. Though the Abbasids were Arab, the empire became a lot less Arab-centered under their rule. They moved the caliphate closer to their support base, quite literally, from Damascus to Baghdad—much closer to Persia.

Answer 2

The Abbasids established the new position of vizier to delegate central authority, and delegated even greater authority to local emirs.