The Golden Age of the Muslim Civilization Section 3

Spread of Islam Within 150 years of Muhammad’s death, Islam spread into Spain, North Africa, Persia, towards China and India II. New converts A. Muslim traders helped to spread the faith to the countries they did business with B. Muslim armies would conquer areas and convert Non-Christians and Jews to Islam C. 700 and 800’s, Many Christians in the Mediterranean area converted to Islam

D. 700 AD –Muslims took over Spain E D. 700 AD –Muslims took over Spain E. 732 AD- Muslim armies advanced on Christian Europe and invaded France. They were defeated by the Frank army led by Charles “the hammer” Martel. (made no other attempt to take over more of Europe) III. Reasons for Success A. Muslims took over land that had once been part of great empires. When they invaded, the empires were already defeated or weak

B. The common bond of religion made the Arab people feel like a community-fighting together in the name of Allah C. Muslim leaders tolerated other faiths allowing Christians and Jews to practice their faith and hold jobs. D. Non –Muslims had higher taxes and fewer rights (Muslim leadership was preferred to other leaders)

IV. Muslim Golden Age 800AD-1100 AD- advances made in math, science, literature and architecture Under the caliphs, empire grew rich from trade and conquered land 1. Baghdad was the capital of the empire 2. major trade city (location, resources) C. Harun ar-Rashid 1. became caliph in 786 AD, ruled for 28 years 2. wealthy court, encouraged arts of all kinds, paid artists to make more of craftwork that pleased him

D. Achievements of Golden Age 1 D. Achievements of Golden Age 1. Studied ideas and history from other cultures and built on that (ancient Greece and Rome) 2. Math and Science a. Arabic number system (easier than Roman numerals, system we use) b. Al-Khwarizme created a new math that he called al-jabr (algebra), improved methods and notations c. advanced astronomy (believed earth was round)

3. Medicine a. Ibn Sina (Avicenna)-Islamic scientist 1 3. Medicine a. Ibn Sina (Avicenna)-Islamic scientist 1. Organized known medical knowledge into books (name of disease, symptoms, and treatment) 2. His research included –stress causes stomach problems, diseases spread through air and water, cancer can be treated with surgery b. Had moving hospitals and pharmacies

4. Literature a. poetry-Sufis used poetry to teach Islamic beliefs to other people b. Folktales (ex: Tales of the Arabian Nights) c. Caravan songs