Achievements of the Islamic golden age
Review! What is a golden age? Think about your study of global history last year and this year. What regions or groups of people have experienced golden ages?
Background Information Golden Age: time of intellectual and cultural achievements Occurred under the Abbasids Large empireblending of cultures golden age Includes Persian, Greek, Indian, Arab cultures Baghdad becomes House of Wisdom- center of learning in Islamic World Islamic scholars preserved and expanded knowledge after Fall of Rome http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1PxJomypQE (3:30-15)
Art Calligraphy: art of beautiful handwriting Woodwork, glass, ceramics, textiles Could only use human images in non-religious works- why? Influenced by Byzantine architecture Example: Great Mosque of Damascus
Literature Poetry about nature, life, love, bravery and generosity The Thousand and One Nights: collection of fairy tales, stories and legends Example: Aladdin and His Magic Lamp
Math/Science Math=basis of all knowledge Al-Khwarizmi- pioneered algebra Studied Greek texts Conducted experiments in labs Studied astronomy Advancements in optics developing lenses for telescopes and microscopes
Medicine Doctors had to pass exams before treating patients Set up separate areas for trauma cases (like today’s ER) Treated cataracts Wrote many books that were used around the world Examples: Canon on Medicine and Comprehensive Book
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Philosophy Translated texts from the Greeks, Indians, and Chinese Ibn Rushd: goal of philosophy in Greece and Islam is to find the truth Ideal Man=blend of all cultures Shows diversity of the empire