Golden Age

of Islam:

800-1100

Ch.10 Sect. 3

Islam Society and Economy

– Cultures include Arab, Persian, Egyptian, African, European,

Mongol, Turks, Indians, and SE Asian

– Muslim society absorbed and blended many cultures

Social Classes

– Enjoyed social mobility

– Slavery was common from conquered people

– Muslims couldn’t be slaves and converts didn’t earn

freedom right away but children did.

– Islamic law encouraged freeing of slaves

International Trade

Network

– Merchants honored in Muslim world

– 750-1350 they built a vast trade network that spread Islam as well

– Camel caravans were the “ships of the desert”

– Traveled Silk Road and monsoon winds took

them to India as well

– Set up partnerships, bought and sold on credit,

formed banks to change currency

– Branches in all major cities

Manufacturing

– Organized by guilds

– Authority to regulate prices, weights and measures,

methods of production, and quality of product being

produced

– Work done by wage workers

Art and Literature

– Scholars studied Quran and produced own works

interpreting its meaning

– Quran banned worship of idols or portraying God or human

figures

– Walls and ceilings decorated with abstract and geometric

patterns called arabesque

Architecture

– Used domes of Byzantine buildings

– Domed mosques and high minarets dominated Muslim cities

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem

Poetry

– Passed down orally

– Important themes were chivalry and romance of nomadic life

– Influenced medieval European literature and music

Tales

– Art of story telling

– The Thousand and One Nights

– Aladdin and His Magic Lamp

– Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

Arab scholars made many mathematical advances.

Arab mathematicians developed what became our modern number system.

The study of algebra was pioneered by Al-Khwarizmi in the 800s.

Building on the work of the Greeks, Muslims greatly advanced medicine and public health.

• Physicians and pharmacists had to pass tests.

• There were hospitals and physicians who traveled to rural areas.

• Pharmacists mixed bitter-tasting medicines with sweet-tasting syrups and gums for the first time.

Exit Pass

– Explain in your own words why you think

this time was called the “Golden Age of

Islam”. Use at least 3 specific examples

from our notes to support your thoughts.

Should be at least 1 paragraph long.