ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION• Islamic cities had their own physical appearance

• Palace & mosques = most impressive buildings

• Fountains, public baths, bazaars

ISLAMIC SOCIETY• Muslims live their lives in accordance with Allah’s

teachings revealed in the Quran

• Islam claims that all people are equal in the eyes of Allah/ was not always the case in the Arab empire = well defined upper class of ruling families & wealthy merchants

• Oppressive customs towards women are more connected with Arab practice than to the teachings of the Quran

• ADVANCES IN LEARNING: The synthesis of Eastern and Western ideas and of new thought with old, brought about great advances in medicine, mathematics, physics, astronomy, geography, architecture, art, literature, and history.

• TRANSMISSION OF KNOWLEDGE: Many crucial systems such as algebra, the Arabic numerals, and the concept of the zero, were transmitted to medieval Europe from Islam.

• THE MUSLIM EMPIRE, stretching from Spain to India, was unified by a common language (Arabic), a common faith, and a common culture.• Government run by

religious leaders

ISLAMIC ACHIEVEMENTS• Al-Ma’mun’s House of Wisdom = Baghdad, Arab

scholars translated Greek works by Plato, Aristotle, etc./ Mathematics texts were included

• Math = created algebra & passed on India’s numbering system known as “Arabic” in Europe; used zero

• Science = perfected astrolabe-used by sailors to determine location by looking at position of planets & stars

ISLAMIC ACHIEVEMENTS• Literature = Quran was main book/ Omar Khayyam

wrote Rubaiyat/ Arabian Nights (1001 Nights) collection of folktales & fables that were first told orally & then written down over many years

• Art/Architecture = blends together Arabic, Turkish, & Persian traditions

• SPREAD OF ISLAM: Among the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the simplicity of its doctrine. Islam calls for faith in only one God worthy of worship.