Chapter 10 Contributions of Muslims to World Civilization

Chapter 10: Contributions of Muslims to World Civilization Called: “ The Golden Age of Islam” Notes - Copy the BLUE words

Over many connecting trade routes, goods and ideas moved from Asia through Muslim lands, where they were adapted. They then spread as far as North Africa and Europe.

Flowering of Islamic Civilization • Cordoba, Baghdad, and Cairo were all centers for Muslim learning. • Muslims learned from other cultures and helped spread ideas that they have learned – Muslims learned paper making from Chinese – Produced new scientific, medical, and philosophical texts based on Greek works

In the 14 th century, Muslim rulers built the magnificent palace complex called the Alhambra in Granada, Spain.

With its ornate arches and other rich details, the Alhambra is considered to be one of the best examples of medieval Muslim architecture in the world.

City Building and Architecture • Baghdad-capital, had shops, markets, bridges, palaces, gardens…crossroads of trade routes – Took 100, 000 architects, workers, and craftspeople 4 years to build – In the center was caliph’s palace and the grand mosque • Around this was offices and houses of court officials and army officers • A double wall with 4 heavily guarded gates surrounded the city • Mosque, Muslim house of worship, had minaret (tower) with a small balcony, where muezzin chanted the call for prayer. – Inside, a pray room, the imam, prayer leader gave sermons from a raised pulpit called minbar, – Mihrab indicated the direction of Makkah which was next to the minbar

The minaret of the Great Mosque of Samarra has a spiral design. Muezzins climb spiral steps around the outside of the tower to the balcony at the top.

Scholarship and Learning • In 8 th century Arabic became the language of scholarship and science throughout Muslim lands – Muhammad said “The ink of scholars is more precious than the blood of martyrs. ” • Muslim rulers built schools, colleges, libraries… – Baghdad in 830, House of Wisdom was built for Scholars from many lands would research/share ideas and translate texts – Cairo 10 th century, built Hall of Wisdom – Cordoba built a huge library (400, 000 books)

Students in Muslim schools discussed and debated philosophical ideas with their teachers.

Science and Technology • Zoology-Muslim scholars wrote books on description of the structure of animals’ bodies – How to make medicines from animals – Al-Jahiz presented theories on evolution • Astronomy-used compasses and astrolabes to locate direction of Makkah – Astrolabe is an instrument used to observe & measure position of the sun and other heavenly bodies • Built irrigation systems, dams, aqueducts, canals, underground wells…

The town of Hama, Syria, has 17 wooden waterwheels from medieval times. These waterwheels scoop water from the Orontes River into aqueducts, bringing it to homes and farms.

Geography and Navigation • Muslims created extremely accurate maps • Calculated Earths circumference within nine miles of accuracy • Produced world atlas – The Book of Roads and Provinces – The Book of Countries • From these books travelers could get information on physical features and water resources

The astrolabe was a navigational tool widely used in the Islamic world and in Europe.

Mathematics • Translated works of Euclid • Al-Khwarizmi known as “father of algebra” – Worked in 9 th century at House of Wisdom – His book became the most important mathematics text – Helped popularize Arabic numerals • Spread the concept of zero.

The geometric designs in Muslim art and architecture are based on knowledge about advanced mathematical principles.

Medicine • Established 1 st hospitals, doctors would train in them – Government paid all medical expenses • Hospitals had different wards (Isolation) men and women, surgical, and people with diseases • Doctors used treated sickness through drugs, diet, and exercise – Remedies made from herbs, plants, animals, minerals – Pharmacists made medications for pain, ointments, antiseptics

Muslim doctors treated patients with herbal remedies, as well as drugs, diet, and exercise.

Bookmaking and Literature • Bookmaking became an art form for Muslims – Baghdad had over 100 bookshops • A Thousand One Nights AKA Arabian Nights – Gathered stories from India, Persia, Middle East, China Egypt…Aladdin, Ali Baba, Sinbad the Sailor. . • Muslim Literature was enriched by Islamic mysticism, which is a form of religious belief and practice involving sudden insight and intense experiences of God.

As in medieval Europe, bookmaking was an art in the Muslim world.

Art and Music • Geometric & Floral Design-Muslims didn’t use images of humans or animals in their art – Used shapes, patterns, and geometry to create designs – Arabesque a type of design that used stems, leaves, flowers, and tendrils into elegant patterns repeated over and over • Calligraphy-art of beautiful hand writing…found in the Qur’an, poetry, tiles swords, coins • Textiles- are woven cloths or textiles…used vibrant colors, silk – Clothes showed rank & status symbols • Music in Muslim Spain was a unique style that blended elements of Arab and Spanish cultures – Ziryab, famous singer and musician, established the first Conservatory, school of music – Playing instruments and Singing was an essential part of their culture

Muslims created many forms of art and music.

Recreation • Polo-learned from Persians, this is games played by teams on horseback use mallets to strike a ball through a goal…horses were a symbol of status – Became popular among the wealthy • Chess-introduced from Persians in 600 s – A battle of wits where each players move pieces on a board according to complex rules – Popular at all levels of society (Kinds and Common People) spread around the world

Muslims adapted and improved the game of chess.

Recreation spread it across Muslim lands