The Byzantine Empire - Geography Over time the empire shrank It was its largest when Justinian conquered land (about 550) Constantinople helped merchants because they could reach the city from both Europe and Asia letting merchants meet easily from both places Defense of Constantinople was easier due to the surroundings. The sea reduces the number of ways a city can be attacked

Justinian Justinian left quite the legacy Justinian dreamed of restoring the old Roman empire and worked for nearly 30 years to do so He conquered lands in Spain, Italy and North Africa Due to many wars, the empire had money problems (economic problems!) Justinian left quite the legacy He rebuilt Hagia Sophia (The central church) He also collected a law code

Chapter 15 Islamic Civilization

Islamic Beliefs Muslims refer to God as Allah “Islam” means: “submission” to in Arabic “Muslim” is one who has submitted to God’s will. Please God by following his teachings

The Five Pillars Belief Only 1 God Prayer Muhammad is the messenger of God Prayer Religious duty for Muslims to pray 5 times a day Charity Giving to the needy - Muslims must share wealth with less fortunate Devout Muslims give 25% of wealth each year Fasting During Ramadan, no eating or drinking daybreak to sunset This tests commitment to God Broken by Eid al-Fitr` Pilgrimage Trip to the holy city (Hajj) Quran says all Muslims should make the Hajj at least once and strengthen the global community of Muslims

Factors that helped build an Arab Muslim empire Decline of the Persian and Byzantine Empires Ability and devotion of soldiers in Muslim armies Muslim tolerance for other religions

After Muhammad died… Rulers called caliphs led the Muslim community and eventually the empire. The word “caliph” in Arabic means Successor. A government run by a caliph is called a caliphate.

Philosophy Studied the ideas of Aristotle & other Greeks They worked to combine Islamic faith with principles in Greek logic

Medicine Studied ancient Greek scholars and improved on Greek medicine Produced a medical encyclopedia which covered every disease and treatment known at the time They had hospitals which included pharmacies and where difficult operations were performed including cancer and brain surgeries

History & Geography History of the world that explained the rise and fall of dynasties Some wrote about travels around Muslims countries

Folk Tales Comes from a long tradition of story telling Describes animals, heroes, and adventures The Thousand & One Nights tells us a lot about Muslim life in that time period

Poetry Started as oral story telling It allowed nomads praise tribes and mock enemies Some wrote about religious themes, some about desire, giving up worldly possessions, & seeking nearness to God

Mathematics Decimal system based on Indian numerals Today we call it Arabic numbers because the Arab world introduced it to Europe Advanced algebra allowing people to solve complex problems Chemistry also came as a result of math

Astronomy Built observatories (buildings for viewing and studying stars) Created charts that showed positions of stars and planets Measured the size of earth and developed precise calendars

Design & Calligraphy Decorative designs appeared on everything Arabesque consists of patterns of curved shapes & lines resembling flowers & vines Calligraphy – decorative writing They used this form to write verses of the Quran on walls or plaques

Architecture Built mosques, fountains, gates, gardens, baths & palaces Domes & arches were common features, just like the Romans had These styles spread to Muslim lands including India & East Africa