Download The Golden Age of Muslim Civilization Notes

The Golden Age of Muslim Civilization Notes
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The Spread of Islam
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Arab Merchants
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Asia, North Africa and along the Mediterranean Coast
Arab Armies
Fail to take Constantinople in 717
Muslim Armies move into Spain
Muslims advance into Christian Europe
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Reasons for Success
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Stopped at the Battle of Tours (modern day France)
Centuries before Muhammad, Islam had not been able to conquer neighboring regions
Roman Empire
Byzantine Empire
Persian Empire
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After Muhammad’s death, all three empires had either been defeated or weakened
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Also a shared religion now united the Arab peoples into one group.
Under Muslim Rule
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Unlike the Byzantines before them, Muslims tolerated other faiths.
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Muslims allowed Christians and Jews to practice their own religions and pursue their own
business affairs.
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Non-Muslim citizens did have fewer rights than Muslim citizens
Could not carry weapons
Could not serve in military
Paid a special tax to support the government
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The Golden Age of Muslim Civilization Notes
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The Golden Age of Muslim Culture
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Golden Age of Muslim culture lasted from about 800 to 1100
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Caliphs (religious Muslim rulers) helped the empire grow strong and wealthy.
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Bagdad was the capital of the Muslim Empire during its golden age
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Traders brought goods from all over the world to the Caliph’s court.
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Arab scholars not only crated new works but also studied history and ideas from other
cultures
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Advancements in Mathematics, Science and Literature.
Arab scholars studied both Greek and Indian mathematics
They learned the idea of Zero and “Arabic Numerals” from Indian scholars
Discovery of Algebra (“al-jabr”)
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The Caliph was considered Muhammad’s successor.
Achievements of the Golden Age
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Bagdad was a natural center for trade
Enabled scientist to make great discoveries in astronomy, physics and chemistry.
Medicine
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Arab Scholars organized medical knowledge of the Greeks and Arabs
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Made great advances in:
Anatomy (study of structure of bodies)
Physiology (study of functioning of living things)
Pharmacology (study of drugs)
Literature
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Muslim writers made lasting works of literature.
Poetry was import to the Islamic world
Poets were treated as popular as musicians are today
One group of Muslims used poetry to teach their ideas and beliefs.
Sufis, Mystics who believed that they could draw close to God through prayer,
fasting and a simple life.
They taught that the world will reveal its mysteries to carful observers.
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