1. Muslim Culture

2. Abbasid Rule Rule was prosperous for the Islamic religion
Riches are pulled in from Europe, Asia, & Africa
Build great cities and support advancements in math, art, and science
Preserve & Advance Knowledge
Blending of international cultures

3. Muslim Cities Damascus – Cultural Center of Islam
Impressive Cities of the Caliphate – Cordoba, Cairo, & Jerusalem
Baghdad (capital) – lavish palaces, defenses, and marketplace
Peeked at ~1 million!!!

4. Damascus

5. Four Social Classes 1st Class – Muslims at Birth
2nd Class – Converts to Islam
3rd Class – “Protected People”
Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians
4th Class – Slaves
POWs, non-Muslims

6. Role of Women Qur’an: Men & Women are equal, but submit to men
What?
Given rights under the shari’a for marriage, family, & property
Originally, women could advance based on their husband’s status
Time passes, women are isolated and veiled in public

7. Scholarship & Knowledge
Push for knowledge was great (science, math, astronomy)
Muhammad – p. 274
Push for advancements, translate scientific & philosophical texts
Early 800s – House of Wisdom – library/academy for translation of ancient texts into Arabic.

8. Literature & Art Strong roots in Arabia with the Bedouins
The Qur’an was the gold standard
Adapt artistic traditions of conquered areas to suit Islamic beliefs
Discourage images of living things
Use calligraphy (or beautiful handwriting as a substitute) or decorative work (wood, glass, etc.)

9. Architecture Greatest cultural blending of the Muslim world
Ex: Great Mosque of Damascus build on the site of a Christian Church (Byzantine reflection)
Feature works of the Romans and other European cultures

10. Dome of the Rock

11. Medical Advancements Al-Razi – greatest physician in the world
Wrote the encyclopedia Comprehensive Book – drew medical knowledge from the ancients
Also wrote the Treatise on Smallpox & Measles
Recover breathing cleaner air

12. Math & Science
Standard for mathematical solutions, scientific observations, & experimentation
Scientists prefer to solve problems with experiments, instead of logical reasoning
Better?
Al-Khwarizmi – Through Indian teachings, develops al-jabr
Chart the stars, comets, & planets
Ibn al-Haytham develops theory on sight, leads to the first telescopes & microscopes

13. Philosophy & Religion
Scholars blend Islam with Greek philosophers teachings
Criticized, argue both trying to find the truth
Moses Ben Maimon – greatest Jewish philosopher
Push to blend science with religion

14. The “Ideal Man” P. 279 – Ikhwan As-Safa
“The ideal and morally perfect man should be of East Persian derivation, Arabic in faith, of Iraqi education, a Hebrew in astuteness, a disciple of Christ in conduct ….”
What do you think?