1. The Golden Age of Islam

2. THE BIG IDEA: The Muslim world…
Included lands & peoples from parts of three continents
Preserved, blended, and spread the cultures of classical Greece, Rome, India, and other civilizations
Enjoyed a prosperous golden age with advances in art, literature, mathematics, and science
Spread new learning to Christian Europe

3. Define the following terms:
Caliph – Successor to Muhammad
Sharia – Islamic system of law (regulated moral behavior, family life, business, govt, and other areas of community life)
Sunni – (Sect) Believed caliph should be chosen by Muslim leaders
Shiite – (Sect) Believed that only descendants of the prophet Muhammad should be caliph

4. 2. Where was Islam founded? When? Arabian Peninsula, early 600s
3. In the years after Muhammad’s death, who was successful in uniting Arabs in the Islamic faith? Abu Bakr
4. The Byzantine Empire, Persian Empire, Egypt and Spain were all conquered by the man named in question #3. What are five other areas of the world that embraced Islam.
Middle East, North Africa, Sicily, India, and Southeast Asia

5. 5. What are some reasons for the spread of Islam? Name 4.
-Muslims were strong fighters (cavalry)
-Byzantine & Persian empires were weak from fighting each other
-Muslims were united in their belief in Islam
-Muslim rulers treated conquered people fairly
-People in defeated empires welcomes Muslim rule after years of living under harsh rulers
6. How did Muslims treat conquered people? Explain.
Fairly… fair rules; could practice their own religion, but had to pay a tax
7. Why was Sharia so important?
It told people how to live a good, moral life

6. 8. Fill in the Venn diagram below.
Sunnis Both Shiites
Caliph should be
chosen
by Muslim leaders
Muslim Caliph should be
Faith &
Practices descendents of Muhammad

7. 9. List the one main idea about the following ideas about Islamic Society.
Social Mobility
Could move up in social order through religious, scholarly, or military achievements
Conquered People
Tolerant of other religions… had to pay a non- Muslim tax.
Slavery
Common… slaves from Spain, Greece, Africa, India, and Central Asia. Slaves could buy freedom. If slave converted, children were free.
Status of Women
Equality! Inheritance rights, education, consent to marry freely. (veiling came from non-Arab customs)

8. 9. Describe in one sentence:
Umayyad Dynasty – Spread Islam to the Atlantic in the West & Indus in the East.
Abbasid Dynasty – Ended Arab domination of Islam, ruled until mid-1200s.

9. 10. List the the main ideas about the following ideas about Islam’s Golden Age.
Greco-Roman Culture
Translated works on Greek scholars. Based their advances in Math, Astronomy, and Medicine on Greek & Indian knowledge.
Education
Very important!!! Libraries & Universities
Art & Architecture
Mosques & Palaces: Byzantine domes & arches; elaborately decorated; No portrayal of God in art.
Calligraphy: artistic writing; decorated buildings & art.
Drawings & Paintings: animal & human figures
Literature & Philosophy
Poetry: religious, leaders, and love
Tales: adapted stories from Greek, Indian, Jewish, and Egyptian culture
Philosophy: Translated works of Greek, Indian, and Chinese writers; expanded

10. How did the Crusades help spread Muslim ideas to Europe?
Mathematics & Science
Algebra: Studied Indian & Greek; Invented Algebra
Astronomy: Earth’s rotation & circumference of earth within few thousand feet
Medicine: Doctors passed tests; Hospitals; disease treatments
Economic Achievements
Trade: Merchants honored; Huge trade network—money economy
Manufacturing: Guilds organized manufacturing
Agriculture: sugarcane, cotton, medicinal herbs, fruits, vegetables – sold in world markets
How did the Crusades help spread Muslim ideas to Europe?
Crusaders were impressed with Muslim advancements TRADE GOODS & IDEAS