Culture of Islam

• Internal fighting led to a new Muslim Dynasty called Umayyad Caliphate

• The Umayyad Caliphate moved the capital to Damascus

Abbassid Caliphate

• The Umayyads were defeated and the new dynasty was Abbassid Caliphate

• They moved the capital to Baghdad• Emphasis was now on learning and culture

NOT conquest

Math

• Algebra was developed• “Arabic numbers” were introduced (1,2,3)

Science

• Alhazen developed a scientific method based on experiments to prove or disprove a theory

Medicine

• Avicenna – the Father of Modern Medicine

• Over 800 doctors worked in Baghdad

Astronomy

• Made corrections to the geocentric model (the earth is the center of our solar system)

• Made improvements to the astrolabe (a tool used for solving problems relating to time and the position of the sun and stars

Chemistry

• Laid the foundation for modern chemistry

Literature

• The Book of One Thousand and One Nights or (Arabian Nights) was written

• Some favorite characters are Aladdin, Sinbad and Ali Baba

Technology

• Improved the paper making process by creating mill to make the paper

• Created a more powerful form of gunpowder

Farming

• Developed the windmill to pump water out of the ground

• Utilized irrigation more effectively

Engineering

• Figured out how to use water, wind, stream and oil to produce power