1. Achievements of the Islamic golden age

2. Review! What is a golden age?
Think about your study of global history last year and this year. What regions or groups of people have experienced golden ages?

3. Background Information
Golden Age: time of intellectual and cultural achievements
Occurred under the Abbasids
Large empireblending of cultures golden age
Includes Persian, Greek, Indian, Arab cultures
Baghdad becomes House of Wisdom- center of learning in Islamic World
Islamic scholars preserved and expanded knowledge after Fall of Rome
(3:30-15)

6. Art Calligraphy: art of beautiful handwriting
Woodwork, glass, ceramics, textiles
Could only use human images in non-religious works- why?
Influenced by Byzantine architecture
Example: Great Mosque of Damascus

8. Literature Poetry about nature, life, love, bravery and generosity
The Thousand and One Nights: collection of fairy tales, stories and legends
Example: Aladdin and His Magic Lamp

10. Math/Science Math=basis of all knowledge
Al-Khwarizmi- pioneered algebra
Studied Greek texts
Conducted experiments in labs
Studied astronomy
Advancements in optics developing lenses for telescopes and microscopes

12. Medicine Doctors had to pass exams before treating patients
Set up separate areas for trauma cases (like today’s ER)
Treated cataracts
Wrote many books that were used around the world
Examples: Canon on Medicine and Comprehensive Book

13. Remember these guys?!

14. Philosophy Translated texts from the Greeks, Indians, and Chinese
Ibn Rushd: goal of philosophy in Greece and Islam is to find the truth
Ideal Man=blend of all cultures
Shows diversity of the empire