1. Agenda Section 3 – Islamic Civilization
The Spread of Islam
Agenda
Section 3 – Islamic Civilization

2. Key Vocabulary astrolabe minaret al-Rāzī Ibn Sīnā al-Idrīsī
The Thousand and One Nights

4. III. Islamic Civilization
Economy
Trade
Europe, Asia, Africa, India and China
Produced textiles (silk, cotton and wool)
Gold and silver
Steel swords from Damascus and Toledo
Jewelry, perfume, spices
Pottery and glassware
Leather goods
2. Other
Cordoba and Toledo – centers of learning
Astronomy and geography
Banking and commerce

5. III. Islamic Civilization (continued)
B. Government and Society
Began as provinces led by one Caliph
Disputes over leadership led to division into three caliphates ruled by caliphs in Baghdad, Cairo and Cordoba
No separation of church/state – all laws and life were based on the Qur-an
Slavery was discouraged but accepted. Slaves had to be treated humanely
C. Family
Center of daily life – extended family and elderly were included.
Men – responsible for meeting needs of family.
Women – could control property – not responsible for family’s needs

6. II. Islamic Society (continued)
C. Family (continued)
4. Marriages were arranged – but woman could refuse
5. Man had to give his bride a gift of property/money
6. Polygamy was common. Up to 4 wives, but all had to be treated equally.
7. In a divorce – wife kept her own money and could remarry.
D. Education
Government provided schools and libraries
Family and mosque also contributed to education.
Speaking and writing were emphasized as the keys to education.
Students went to the mosque to study religion
Advanced students went to schools to study science, mathematics and law.

7. II. Islamic Society (continued)
Abu al-Qasim
Al-Razi
Ibn Sina
Al-Idrisi
Al-Khwarizmi
Pages –
What area of science did each work in?
AND
What was their major contribution(s)?

8. II. Islamic Society (continued)
E. Science
Muslims learned from conquered peoples and those with whom they traded.
Combined ideas from Greece, Rome, China and India.
Learned from and expanded ideas of Hippocrates and Galen
Use of herbs, foods and pharmaceutical drugs advanced and some techniques for preparation of drugs are still used today.
Developed surgical instruments and techniques.
Advanced disease diagnosis and hygiene
World’s first school of pharmacy and encyclopedia of drugs (preparation and effects).
Treated small pox and other diseases.

9. II. Islamic Society (continued)
f. al-Rāzī – chief physician in Baghdad (900s C.E.) – known for work on small-pox and measles. His encyclopedia was translated into Latin and used for centuries in Europe.
g. Ibn Sīnā – wrote Canon of Medicine (medical textbook) in the early 1000s C.E. – used in Europe until 1650.
F. Geography
Trading led to interest in astronomy, navigation and maps.
Improved on Greek maps to more accurately measure distance.
Al-Idrīsī – sent people to other countries and combined their drawings with existing maps to improve accuracy.
Astrolabe – instrument to chart position of the stars to find position on Earth.

10. II. Islamic Society (continued)
G. Mathematics
800s C.E. – used base-10 number system from India, including 0 to represent an empty place.
Introduced the system to Greek mathematics – resulting in “Arabic” number system (still used today).
Used decimals from India.
Developed “al-jabr” – meaning “restoring” – today’s algebra.

11. III. Islamic Society (continued)
H. Arts
Islam forbids images that show God.
Avoid showing any human or animal form.
Art focused on geometric and floral designs
Non-religious art sometimes showed people in daily life or major military battles
Architecture
Mosques and other buildings designed to show the glory of Islam.
Mosques were modeled after Muhammad’s private courtyard in Medina.
Mosques were used as both community and worship centers – including political, social and educational activities.
Minaret – tower from which a crier would call people to pray 5 times per day.

12. III. Islamic Society (continued)
I. Literature
Caliphs supported outstanding poetry and literature.
The Thousand and One Nights – story of a wife who avoided execution by telling stories to her husband each night. After a thousand and one nights, he canceled plans to execute her. From this we get “Sinbad the Sailor,” “Aladdin,” and “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.”