Islamic Golden Age 750 CE-1258 CE

1. Islamic Golden Age 750 CE-1258 CE

2. What is a golden age? • The arts, medicine, science, and philosophy flourish. Ancient Islamic scholars learning from a teacher

3. Islamic Golden Age • In 750 CE, the Abbasid rulers move the capital from Damascus to Baghdad. • This move marks the beginning of Islamic Golden age. • The arts, medicine, science, literature, architecture and mathematics prosper during this time. Dome of the Rock was completed in 691 CE

4. Key Word • Abbasids—Overthrew Ummayyad caliphate in 750 CE and ruled until 1258 CE.

5. Baghdad and Mecca become cultural and intellectual centers for Islamic empire. • Why do you think Baghdad and Mecca became cultural and intellectual centers for the Abbasid empire? • Discuss with your partner.

6. Key Word • Mecca—Birthplace of Muhammad, site of his revelations, and the holiest city for all Muslims.

7. Merchant Economy and Agricultural Economy • Merchant economy—The primary income stems fromtrading goods such as spices, cloth, jewelry, pottery, cookware, and so on. • Agricultural economy—The primary income comes from farming production instead of relying primarily on trade. Medieval Islamic Coin 13th Century Islamic Ship

8. Merchant Economy Brings People Together • Many cities of the Abbasids’ empire become trading centers, such as Mecca, Medina, and Baghdad. • Many ideas and philosophies converge on these cities. Muslims go on a pilgrimage to the Ka’ba in Mecca

9. House of Wisdom • Caliph al-Ma’m opened a center that was a library, academy, and translation center. • People of all cultures and religions worked side by side to translate the works into Arabic and preserve knowledge from Mesopotamia, Greece, India, and many more places. Scholars studying at the House of Wisdom

10. Pause and Think • What knowledge would you preserve from today if you built your own House of Wisdom? • Answer the question in a written conversation with your partner.

11. Medical Advances • Abu al-Qasim is the forefather of modern surgery. • Invented many surgical tools, such as the surgical needle. • The first public hospitals and mental asylums were built in Damascus. • Abu Bakar al-Razi made the observation about harmful bacteria being connected to sickness and the importance of using antiseptic. Muslim physician and patient

12. Mathematics and Astronomy • Development of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. • Updated the ways and means that scientists measured the cosmos. • Many stars today still have their Arabic names from this period. Muhammad bin Musa Al-Khwarizmi was a Muslim astronomer who is called the father of algebra

13. Science • Ibn al-Haytham developed and refined the scientific method that is still in use today. • He was a pioneer in optics. • Optics—Science that deals with light, where it comes from, and how it changes. • He made many pioneering discoveries about the way the eye receives light. The observations of the eye as recorded by al-Haythem around 1200 CE

14. Islamic Art • A variety of arts flourished during the Abbasid empire • Painting • Architecture • Pottery • Lusterware glazing was created around 900 BC • Lusterware—A gold shine on a pot that was created by other elements, but no gold was used. • Literature • Calligraphy

15. Compare and Contrast Bowl from Abbasids’ Empire Bowl from Greece Both are from the same time period

16. Exit Ticket • On your3x5 card, write one thing you learned and one question that you have.