Download The Golden Age of Islamic Culture

The Golden Age of Islamic
Culture
In this lesson, students will be able to identify
characteristics of the Islamic golden age.
Students will be able to identify and/or define
the following terms:
Golden Age
Islamic Advances in Science and Mathematics
Mosques
Geometric Designs
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A golden age is a time of peace, prosperity,
and great cultural achievements.
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Golden Age
• Many cultures experienced golden ages,
including the Greeks and Guptas.
• A golden age is a time of peace,
prosperity, and great cultural
achievements.
• An Islamic golden age occurred during the
Abbasid dynasty (8th century to 13th
century).
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Islam spread through conquest and trade.
The Abbasid dynasty ruled a vast empire.
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The Islamic Golden Age
• The Muslims experienced a golden age.
• During the Islamic golden age, there were
great advances in mathematics, medicine,
architecture, and the arts.
• It is important to remember that under the
Abbasids, Islam became a blending of
many cultures leading to great
achievements.
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Muhammad forbade making images of God
or people. Islamic artists frequently used
geometric designs in their works of
art.
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Muslim rulers built beautiful mosques. A
mosque is an Islamic house of worship.
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Muslim doctors learned how to diagnose
diseases like smallpox and measles.
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Muslim
doctors
discovered
that blood
moves to
and from
the
heart.
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Muslims borrowed the concept of zero
from India and developed Arabic numerals.
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Muslim
mathematicians
also
made
advances
in algebra
and geometry.
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While much of Islamic literature was based
on the Qur’an, stories like Aladdin were
popular too.
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The vast Abbasid trading network
encouraged cultural diffusion.
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Questions for Reflection:
• What is a golden age?
• List three cultures that experienced golden
ages.
• Why did Islamic civilization experience a
golden age?
• What is a mosque?
• List two advances in mathematics and
science that occurred during the Islamic
golden age.
• Why did Islamic artists rely on geometric
designs?
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