What were the major achievements of the Islamic empire? Essential Question What were the major achievements of the Islamic empire?

Technology Next we will look at technology.

Architecture The most beautiful Arabic buildings were the mosques. Mosque = Islamic church Like the European cathedrals they were the center of society.

As you can see, arabic architecture was very unique As you can see, arabic architecture was very unique. These buildings you see are muslim “churches” called mosques. They were a bit like cathedrals in Europe in that they were the biggest and most beautiful buildings in any town.

This here is the main mosque found in mecca This here is the main mosque found in mecca. You can see the kaaba in the center. Muhammad, as we’ll see later, emptied the kaaba of it’s idols and made it a shrine to allah. All those white dots are actually people who have gathered at the mosque.

Brain Snack . . . .

Draw a quick sketch of a mosque in your notes. Timeout! Draw a quick sketch of a mosque in your notes. Ha, I bet you’re freaking out right now. You’re all like “OMG I don’t know what a mosque looks like!” Well, I just showed you like 5 of them. Back up the video and look again or something. Just calm down, it isn’t that big of a deal. Sheesh.

Timeout! Look at the map on the following slide. How would you get water from the river to the three towns? You cannot use any electricity! Wow, another timeout. We haven’t written any notes in quite awhile. On the next slide you’ll see a map. There are 3 towns on the maps and a river. Write down in your notes how you could get water to each of the 3 towns. Remember, there was no electricity.

13 miles, flat 10 miles, uphill ½ mile, downhill Ok, so town 1 is 10 miles away from the river and is uphill. Town 2 is a little farther away but at least it is flat the whole way. Town 3, those lazy punks, is only half a mile from the river and it is downhill. How would you get water to each town? I’ll give you some time, then I’ll be back. <pause> Ok, so what did you come up with? <pause> Really? That’s a strange idea. Well, whatever, here’s how the arabs did it. ½ mile, downhill

Water Wheels The power of the river turns the water wheel. Small buckets pick up water as they pass through the river. They dump their water into an aqueduct when they tip over. The arabians built giant water wheels to help move water around. They did not use any electricity, instead they relied completely on the power of the river to turn them. The wheels have small buckets that pick up water from the river as it turns. When the buckets reach the top of the wheel they dump their water into an aqueduct which then sends the water into the cities. It is really kind of cool.

Math and Science The arabians had a great interest in math and science. They learned the concept of zero from the hindu’s in india and used it to great effect. You’ll be very happy to know they invented algebra! The arabians collected books from all over the world and during the Dark Ages, while Europe was losing knowledge, it was the arabians who kept greek knowledge alive.

The Islamic Empire became a world center for learning. They studied medicine, space and invented algebra. People traveled from all over the world to study in Baghdad.

Fact or Fiction Pick the thing not invented by the Arabs

0 Zero Answer: pi

Answer: plow

Answer: ping pong

Economics Next we will look at the economy of the Arabians.

Muslim Merchants The Islamic Empire was the center of the spice trade. If the Roman Empire and China wanted to trade, they had to go through Arabia first. This meant the Islamic Empire could control much of the trade. Trade played a huge part in the creation of the Arabic Empires. Oh wait, this song rules. Remember the old Burger King commercial with it?! Anyway, the empires were located right in the center of the spice, and later the silk, trade routes. They were in the middle with Rome on one side and China on the other. Any trade between Rome and China had to pass through Arabia. This meant the Arabs were in control of the trade.

Barbarians! Scary! The Spice Trade Roman Empire China Islamic Empire There really weren’t any other options for travelling this way. There were no airplanes of course and there was no way to go by boat that had been discovered yet either. The only other option was to take a route through the north. Problem was, that’s where the scary barbarians lived. If they went through arabia they might have to pay a tax or two but at least they could be fairly safe. Islamic Empire The Spice Trade

So what? Traders who came through Arabia often learned the Arabic language. Traders who became Muslim were more accepted by the Islamic Empire. Arab traders going to Rome and elsewhere spread Islam as they went. The European traders would came through Arabia would often learn the Arabic language. Many also converted to Islam. Muslim traders had advantages like lower taxes so it, quite literally, paid to convert. Also, arabic traders spread their religion to the places they travelled. So, interestingly, much of the growth of the Arabic Empire, at least at first, was done mostly peacefully through trade.

Timeout! Answer this question: Why would it be dangerous to cross Arabia alone?