An Age of Learning and Artistic Refinement Chapter 7 (2 of 4)

As the Abbasid empire was experiencing political turmoil and losing power… Trade was flourishing within the empire (did well under Umayyad, but took off under Abbasid)

Forms of Art: Bronze Tapestries Mosques Rugs Ceramic

Advancements in Literature Persian began replacing Arabic as main language in literature 3 Important writers during the Abbasid caliphate: 1)Firdawsi 2)Sa’di 3)Omar Khayyam

Firdawsi – Persian (Iran) writer, real name unknown Wrote Shah-Nama (Book of Kings) in late 10 th to early 11 th centuries Shows Persian pride as they became more independent of Abbasids

Sa’di Poet who blended mysticism with every day life Most Muslim literature at the time did this

Best known work of Persian literature to the West Searches for the meaning of life Click to see more on Omar Khayyam Click to see more on Omar Khayyam

Advancements in Math and Science Early on, not many advancements, just preserved classic learning. Later on, Muslims make significant strides.

Advancements in Chemistry Created the objective experiment Al-Razi’s classification system of things into 1 of 3 categories: -Animal -Vegetable -Mineral Al Biruni calcualted specific weights of 18 minerals

Advancements in Astronomy Improved astrolabe and armillary sphere to map stars Renamed and reorganized constellations Europeans and Chinese wanted Muslim maps of the stars Developed many astronomy tools

Advancements Had Practical Applications Cairo and other cities had best hospitals in world (had to pass exam to be doctor) Scientists worked on optics and bladder ailments Muslim traders introduced papermaking and silk-weaving For more on Muslim advancements, click here

A Resurgence of Religious Spirit Ulama Orthodox Muslim leaders (were hostile to non- Muslims) Al-Ghazali Muslim theologian, combined Greek and Muslim traditions (rejected by Ulama) Sufis Muslim mystics who played key role in spreading Islam

Mongols Take Empire As Abbasids being divided from within, Mongols come and take over

Grandson of Chinggis Khan 1258 – Mongols took Baghdad, killed 37 th and final Abbasid caliph, and control Muslim empire Mongols kept capturing westward until stopped by Mameluks Baghdad destroyed, shrunk from one of greatest cities in world (Cairo and Istanbul replace it) Mameluks = Turkic slaves, controlled Egypt Hulegu Click here for movie on Mongol defeat in Egypt (start at 48:47)