Golden Age of Islam World History

Society & Economy Social Mobility – people could move up in society Social Mobility – people could move up in society Slavery was practiced, but Islam encouraged freeing slaves Slavery was practiced, but Islam encouraged freeing slaves Honored merchants built a vast trading network across the Islamic world that spread Islam, Islamic products, & technology Honored merchants built a vast trading network across the Islamic world that spread Islam, Islamic products, & technology –Invented the “Sakk” = modern day check

Islamic Art Artists used abstract patterns to decorate art objects Artists used abstract patterns to decorate art objects –Portrayal of God or humans in religious art was forbidden by Islam –Used calligraphy (art of handwriting) –Used arabesque (use of floral shaped designs) Dome of the Rock (large shrine in Jerusalem) typifies Muslim architecture Dome of the Rock (large shrine in Jerusalem) typifies Muslim architecture

Literature Arabic poetry emphasizing chivalry and romance of nomadic life influenced European literature & music Arabic poetry emphasizing chivalry and romance of nomadic life influenced European literature & music –The Thousand and One Nights – groups of tales told by fictional princess Scheherezade  Included Aladdin & His Magic Lamp –Omar Khayyam – “The Rubaiyat” – book of poetry on fate and the nature of life

World of Learning Scholars translated Greek works and tried to harmonize them with Muslim teachings Scholars translated Greek works and tried to harmonize them with Muslim teachings A Muslim scholar’s algebra text became the standard mathematic text in Europe A Muslim scholar’s algebra text became the standard mathematic text in Europe –al-Khwarizmi - Father of Algebra Astronomers studied eclipses, Earth’s rotation, and calculated the Earth’s circumference Astronomers studied eclipses, Earth’s rotation, and calculated the Earth’s circumference Averroes (Ibn Rushd) – philosopher that tested all knowledge except the Quran. Averroes (Ibn Rushd) – philosopher that tested all knowledge except the Quran.

Muslim Medicine Remarkable advances in medicines & public health Remarkable advances in medicines & public health –Muhammad al-Razi – wrote medical books, studied small pox and measles –Avicenna (Ibn Sina) wrote medical encyclopedia “Canon on Medicine” European doctors attended Muslim universities in Spain European doctors attended Muslim universities in Spain

Movement of Knowledge Through Spain & Sicily Through Spain & Sicily Christian European scholars studied Muslim philosophy, art, science, and were reintroduced to Greco-Roman achievements. Christian European scholars studied Muslim philosophy, art, science, and were reintroduced to Greco-Roman achievements.

Golden Age of Islam Society & Econ Islamic Art Literature World of Learning Muslim Medicine Summary