1. The Byzantine Empire - Geography
Over time the empire shrank
It was its largest when Justinian conquered land (about 550)
Constantinople helped merchants because they could reach the city from both Europe and Asia letting merchants meet easily from both places
Defense of Constantinople was easier due to the surroundings. The sea reduces the number of ways a city can be attacked

2. Justinian Justinian left quite the legacy
Justinian dreamed of restoring the old Roman empire and worked for nearly 30 years to do so
He conquered lands in Spain, Italy and North Africa
Due to many wars, the empire had money problems (economic problems!)
Justinian left quite the legacy
He rebuilt Hagia Sophia (The central church)
He also collected a law code

3. Chapter 15
Islamic Civilization

4. Islamic Beliefs Muslims refer to God as Allah
“Islam” means: “submission” to in Arabic
“Muslim” is one who has submitted to God’s will.
Please God by following his teachings

5. The Five Pillars Belief Only 1 God Prayer
Muhammad is the messenger of God
Prayer
Religious duty for Muslims to pray 5 times a day
Charity
Giving to the needy - Muslims must share wealth with less fortunate
Devout Muslims give 2.5% of wealth each year
Fasting
During Ramadan, no eating or drinking daybreak to sunset
This tests commitment to God
Broken by Eid al-Fitr`
Pilgrimage
Trip to the holy city (Hajj)
Quran says all Muslims should make the Hajj at least once and strengthen the global community of Muslims

7. Factors that helped build an Arab Muslim empire
Decline of the Persian and Byzantine Empires
Ability and devotion of soldiers in Muslim armies
Muslim tolerance for other religions

8. After Muhammad died…
Rulers called caliphs led the Muslim community and eventually the empire.
The word “caliph” in Arabic means Successor.
A government run by a caliph is called a caliphate.

10. Philosophy Studied the ideas of Aristotle & other Greeks
They worked to combine Islamic faith with principles in Greek logic

11. Medicine Studied ancient Greek scholars and improved on Greek medicine
Produced a medical encyclopedia which covered every disease and treatment known at the time
They had hospitals which included pharmacies and where difficult operations were performed including cancer and brain surgeries

12. History & Geography
History of the world that explained the rise and fall of dynasties
Some wrote about travels around Muslims countries

13. Folk Tales Comes from a long tradition of story telling
Describes animals, heroes, and adventures
The Thousand & One Nights tells us a lot about Muslim life in that time period

14. Poetry Started as oral story telling
It allowed nomads praise tribes and mock enemies
Some wrote about religious themes, some about desire, giving up worldly possessions, & seeking nearness to God

15. Mathematics Decimal system based on Indian numerals
Today we call it Arabic numbers because the Arab world introduced it to Europe
Advanced algebra allowing people to solve complex problems
Chemistry also came as a result of math

16. Astronomy
Built observatories (buildings for viewing and studying stars)
Created charts that showed positions of stars and planets
Measured the size of earth and developed precise calendars

17. Design & Calligraphy Decorative designs appeared on everything
Arabesque consists of patterns of curved shapes & lines resembling flowers & vines
Calligraphy – decorative writing
They used this form to write verses of the Quran on walls or plaques

18. Architecture Built mosques, fountains, gates, gardens, baths & palaces
Domes & arches were common features, just like the Romans had
These styles spread to Muslim lands including India & East Africa