2. Baghdad
one of the most
glorious Muslim
cities
Abbasid capital
located between the
Tigris and Euphrates
rivers
was a crossroads of
trade routes
connecting distant
parts of the empire
3. Mosques
muslim house of
worship
has a small balcony
for the muezzin
chanted the call to
prayer.
has a fountain for
washing before
prayers.
4. Astronomy
compass and astrolabes could be
used to locate Makkah.
figured out exact times for prayer
and length of Ramadan.
realized earth rotated like a
spinning top.
thought that the sun and stars
traveled around the earth.
5. Scholarship and
Learning
Arabic language
became the
language of
scholarship and
science.
Muslims built
schools, colleges,
libraries and centers
of learning.
6. Zoology
wrote books describing
structure of animals’
bodies.
represented theories about
evolution of animals.
established zoos where
exotic animals were
displayed.
learned how to make
medicines from animals.
7. Irrigation and Wells
restored old irrigation
systems and designed new
ones.
built dams and aqueducts
to provide water for
households, mills and
fields.
improved existing systems
of canals and underground
wells. (some wells reached
down 50 feet.)
8. Geography and
Navigation
divided the world into different
climate region.
realized that the earth was round.
calculated the earth’s
circumference within nine miles of
the correct value.
created extremely accurate maps.
made books of different countries
listed useful facts about the lands
under Muslim rule.
9. Mathematics
created algebra.
created Arabic
numerals.
spread the Indian
concept of zero.
Zero means
“something empty” in
Arabic.
10. Medicine
made their most
important contributions in
medicine.
established the first
hospitals.
Pharmacists made
hundreds of medications.
created various surgical
procedures
11. Bookmaking and
Literature
learned the art of
paper making from the
Chinese.
began making bound
books - growth of
Muslim literature.
famous story called
Arabian nights.
12. Geometric and Design
rejected the use of images of
humans or animals in their visual
art - only God can create
something that is alive.
artists turned to shapes and
patterns found in nature and
geometry to create designs and
decorations.
used a design called arabesque,
which is a natural pattern that is
repeated over and over again.
13. Calligraphy
(means beautiful handwriting)
highest form of decorative art.
felt that only calligraphy was
worthy to record the words of God
in the Qur’an.
honored calligraphers over all
other artists.
14. Textiles
had been important to
the Arab people as
practical items and as
trade goods.
clothes showed rank
and served as status
symbols in the Muslim
world.
15. Music
established the first
conservatory (music
school.)
singing was an essential
part of their culture.
hired as entertainers.
musicians and poets
worked together to create
songs.
16. Polo
learned the game from
the Persians.
looked at horses as
status symbols.
became popular with
the wealthy.
began to raise
champion Arabian
horses to play polo.
17. Chess
was probably invented in India.
Persians introduced to the Muslim
world in mid 600s.
became popular for all levels of
society.
players enjoyed the intellectual
challenge that chess presented.
Muslims introduced the game of
chess to Europe.
18. Which one do you think is the
most important invention ?
