During the golden age of Islam, the Islamic empire prospered economically as art flourished and was used to display wealth and status. Medicine advanced significantly, as Islamic texts on anatomy were translated to Latin and became standard in Europe. Politically, Islamic law was universal, the empire continued expanding, and Arabic became the official language to aid communication. Socially, the large and diverse empire facilitated trade beyond its borders, strengthening social ties and making previously hard-to-obtain goods more accessible.