1. Chapter 5, Lesson 3 Life in the Islamic World
It Matters Because:
Muslim advances in mathematics, business, science, architecture, and the arts helped to create our modern society.

2. I. Why Were Muslim Traders Successful?
A. Muslim caravans controlled trade from Africa to China for almost years
1. Caravans & ships made Muslim merchants very rich
2. Merchants converted local people to Islam
3. Merchants spread Arabic language
B. Islam became faith of the region and Arabic the language of trade
1. Muslim rulers supported trade
C. Muslims kept detailed records of their dealings and earnings
1. Led to beginning of banking industry

3. II. Muslim Cities A. Cities in Muslim world grew as trade increased
1. Muslim cities like Cairo, Mecca, Baghdad and Damascus became centers of education, culture, & trade
B. Mosques were important part of Muslim cities
1. Houses of worship
2. Also served as courts of law & places for education
C. Muslim bazaars were shopping malls of the day

4. III. Muslim Society
A. Society was organized into social groups by levels of power & wealth
1. Slavery was common – many slaves were prisoners of war
B. Men were in charge of government , society, and business
C. Women managed families and homes
1. Women were able to own land and inherit wealth
2. Some women were educated

5. IV. Muslim Contributions
A. Muslim scholars preserved many great works of classical literature and philosophy
1. These works would have been lost to history otherwise
2. Arabic texts of Greek philosophy were translated into Latin, giving birth to Renaissance
B. Muslim mathematicians borrowed symbols 0-9 from Hindu
1. Today known as Arabic numerals

6. IV. Muslim Contributions
C. Astronomers in Baghdad studied the skies
1. Described sun’s eclipses
2. Explained how the moon affects ocean tides
D. Improved the Greek astrolabe
1. Astrolabe – tool that helps sailors navigate by the positions of the stars
2. Used to measure the circumference of the earth
3. Confirmed that earth was round
E. Experimented with different metals
1. Muslims considered founders of modern chemistry

7. IV. Muslim Contributions
F. Muslims created great works of literature
1. Quran – first and most important Arabic work
2.The Thousand and One Nights, aka Arabian Nights, includes stories from India, Persia, and Arabia
a. Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and Aladdin are among the most popular characters
3. The epic poem Rubaiyat is considered among the greatest poems ever written
G. Ibn Khaldun, a Muslim historian, studied cause-effect relationships in history

8. IV. Muslim Contributions
H. Muslim artists discouraged creating images of living creatures
1. They feared idolatry
2. Idolatry – worship of idols
Muslim Cities known for beautiful buildings
1. Mosques dominated many city skylines
2. Minarets – towers from which an announcer called Muslims to prayer

9. IV. Muslim Contributions
J. Muslim palaces guarded with walls and had central courtyards and gardens
1. Most famous is Taj Mahal in India
2. Still considered one of the world’s most beautiful buildings
K. Muslim doctors made advancements in medicine
1. Discovered that blood circulates to and from the heart
2. Discovered and treated many diseases, including smallpox and measles
3. Created first medical schools, clinics, and pharmacies