1. 750-1258 CE: The Golden Age of Islam:
The Height of the Islamic Empire:
Science, Philosophy, Technology:
A Bunch of Neat Stuff:

2. Where did we leave off...? What happened to Muhammad?
Who was in charge after?
Why were they in charge?
Did everyone get along?
Who was that last group in charge last class?

3. Also... I asked you to predict what would happen next!
Did you come up with anything?
What has been the most surprising thing about the history of the Middle East that you have learned so far?
Take a moment to think about it and write

4. Out with the Umayyad….
While the Umayyads enjoyed their rule from CE, it was considered an elitist dynasty of Arabs
All in power were Arabs from those old clans from Damascus
Other groups from the old Persian empire began to push for more power

5. In With the Abbasid
The Abbasids considered themselves more in tune with a multi-cultural Islamic empire
Moved the capital from Damascus to Baghdad which was next to the old Persian capital: Ctesiphon
Why would a new group of rulers do that?

6. New dynasty, new flavour
Islam had expanded to the point where the term “Islamic” and “Arab” Empire gets a bit inaccurate
The Islamic character of the rulers was reduced
The influence of Persians (as opposed to Arabs) increased

7. Do They get Assassinated!?
No, well...maybe some... there was more than just political intrigue going on within the empire
To understand this period we have to go beyond the killings
Many great achievements were made during this period
The Abbasid Dynasty is known as the Golden Age of Islam

8. Golden Age of Islam Video
What are some of the inventions in the video?
Do these inventions have links to technology today?
Are you surprised about any of the inventions listed in the video?

9. Architecture and engineering
Mosques were representations of faith and wealth
Represented Islam as a positive force creating impressive works of art and engineering in society
Arabs were able to devise clever methods of irrigation for farming
Large libraries were built to house books of philosophy and science

10. Philosophy!
Many of the philosophical writings, books, ideas from Classical Greece were gathered and maintained in the libraries of the Arab Empire
While Europe was in the Dark Ages (the absence of scientific and philosophical thought), the Arab Empire gathered these books, learned from them, and added to them

11. Medicine Yuhanna ibn Massuwayh studied allergic reactions, dissections
Az-Zahrawi is known as the father of surgery, knew about using animal intestines for stitching
Important hospitals were constructed in Damascus (706 CE) and in Baghdad (982 CE)

12. Medicine...Cont’d
The first known pharmacies were built in Baghdad in 754 CE
Ibn Sina was an early holistic doctor who recognized the importance of hygiene and diet to health, also one of early users of anesthesia
His book Canon of Medicine was used as a medical text for 600 years

13. Why did these things happen?
“The scholar’s ink is more sacred than the blood of martyrs” – The Quran
The spread of Arabic allowed better communication
United people are more likely to speak to each other and spread knowledge

14. Key Concepts! Education and the pursuit of knowledge was valued
Islam encouraged people to learn a common language to read the Quran; Arabic
Common language and religion gave people a way to relate to each other beyond clan membership

15. Not Everything was golden Though.....Slaves
Slavery still existed throughout the Empire, even though Islam forbid it
Slaves were not treated in the American sense though
Some slaves were able to acquire great wealth, and power within the Arab Empire as soldiers

16. Not Everything Changed Though.....Women
The position of women in society was not equal to that of men
Though they could play an important role in poorer families economically, wealthy men kept a harem
The Quran did not outlaw polygamy, so Arab tradition continued and multiple wives were allowed

17. All good things must eventually come to an end