1. Questions 1. How did the Arab Empire flourish under the Abbasid dynasty? 2. Why were Baghdad, Cairo and Damascus considered the "greatest cities"? 3. Explain the significance of the three greatest cities. 4. Compare the urban Arab empire to the rural areas. Give at least three (3) comparisons. 5. How was farm land ownership divided. 6. Describe the social structure of the slaves. Give three (3) examples. 7. Explain the rights of women. Give at least three (3) examples.

2. Prosperity - Flourished under the Abbasid dynasty - South of the Sahara - Gold and Slaves - China - Silk and Porcelain -Eastern Africa - Gold and Ivory -Southeast Asia and India - Sandalwood and Spices

3. Within the Empire - Egypt - Grain - Iraq -Linens, dates and precious stones - Western India -Textiles

4. Greatest Cities - Baghdad -City of Peace -Considered the greatest city in the world -Capital during the reign of the Abbasids -Cairo -Stately palaces and temples -Major trade city -Growth during the reign of the Fatimids -Damascus -Located in modern day Syria -Major trade city *All three were the centers of administrative, cultural and economic activity

5. Urban verse Rural UrbanRural Bazaar (market, shops, laundries and bathhouses) held majority of population Mosques (worship) people lived by farming or herding. Palaces (Caliphs or logal governors) Some large estates owned by wealthy landowners Public buildings with fountains and courtyards

6. Farming ·Early farmers were independent peasants. ·Wealthy landownership grew. ·Some land owned by the state or court (with slave labor). ·Rich river valleys (Tigris, Euphrates and Nile) remained peasants.

7. Social Structure In the eyes of Allah ALL are EQUAL -Slaves -from Africa and non Islamic Asians -Captured in war -Served in military -freed, gained power -Domestic servants (women) -purchased freedom ***Treat fairly and free***

8. Islamic Women - Spiritual and social equality - Friend and protector of men - Right to own and inherit - Had a male guardian - Family arranged marriage - freely enter marriage - freely divorce (due to circumstances) ***covering body is mostly an Arab practice

9. Questions 1. How did the Arab Empire flourish under the Abbasid dynasty? 2. Why were Baghdad, Cairo and Damascus considered the "greatest cities"?

10. 3. Explain the significance of the three greatest cities. 4. Compare the urban Arab empire to the rural areas. Give at least three (3) comparisons.

11. 5. How was farm land ownership divided. 6. Describe the social structure of the slaves. Give three (3) examples.

12. 7. Explain the rights of women. Give at least three (3) examples.