The Golden Age of Islam

1. The Golden Age of Islam Society & Economy – United diverse cultures – Arabs, Persian, Egyptian, and Europeans. People could advance in society through religion, education, and military achievements. Slavery was common in cities – although it was discouraged.

2. The Golden Age of Islam Society & Economy – Slavery was not a permanent part of the Muslim lifestyle – Some rose to attain high positions in government. Merchants and Artisans built vast trading networks – Africa/China/India Cultural Diffusion –new technologies and economic advances developed (currency/credit/checks). Manufacturing and Agriculture thrived in many areas.

3. The Golden Age of Islam Art & Literature - Dome of the Rock – Muslim architecture –great shrine. Use of abstract patterns to decorate art objects because portrayal of God or humans was forbidden. “ARABESQUE” “King’s Book of Kings” – Firdawsi Omar Khayyam, a scholar, astronomer, and poet. Quran was the great poetry/literature. Rich tradition of oral poetry and storytelling depicting the lifestyles, journeys, and adventures of the Muslim world. An example is “The Thousand and One Nights.”

8. The Golden Age of Islam The World of Learning - Greek works were translated and adapted to Muslim life. Used Greek ideas of reason, religious beliefs, and divine relationships. Ibn Rushd – known as AVERROES, tested reason and his ideas were used by Christian/European scholars. Set the standards for scientific study of history. Math – study of Algebra and set the standard text that was used throughout Europe.

9. The Golden Age of Islam The World of Learning – Astronomy – Worked on eclipses, Earth’s rotation, and circumference of the Earth – helped future navigators – Columbus. Advances in hospitals, eye surgery, medicine – tests needed to be taken before you could practice medicine – Muhammad al-Razi. Canon on Medicine by Ibn Sina, or Avicenna. European doctors studied in Islamic Universities.