Islamic Civilization & Culture

Trade  Trade flourished during the Abbasid dynasty.  The Arab Empire traded with China, Byzantine Empire, India, and SE Asia by ship and caravan.  Trading included gold and silver, porcelain, ivory, spices, linens and textiles, and slaves.

Cities  Large cities in the Arab Empire were grand and included Baghdad, Damascus, Cordoba.  Outside of the major ones, Arab cities were simple and served as stopping points for trade.  Most impressive buildings were palaces for caliphs and mosques for worship.  Bazaars, or marketplaces, were an important part of every Arab city.

Farming  Arab Empire was more urbanized than a lot of the world, but a majority of the people still lived in the country.  Early in the empire, the majority of land was owned by independent farmers.  Later, wealthy landowners amassed large estates.

Social Structure  Fairly well-defined upper class consisting of ruling families, officials, nomadic elites.  Some merchants enjoyed a degree of respect not seen in Europe, China, or India.  Slavery was widespread, most from Africa or non-Islamic populations.  Slaves served in the army, farms, and as domestic servants (especially women).

Role of Women  Quran granted women spiritual and social equality with men.  Women had the right to the fruits of their labor, and could inherit land.  Every woman had a male guardian.  Marriages were arranged by parents.  Muslim men could have more than one wife, but no more than four.  The custom of women covering their bodies owed more to traditional Arab practices.