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The Golden Age of Islamic Culture

In this lesson, students will be able to identify characteristics of the Islamic golden age. Students will be able to identify and/or define the following terms:

Golden AgeIslamic Advances in Science and Mathematics

MosquesGeometric Designs

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A golden age is a time of peace, prosperity,and great cultural achievements.

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Golden Age• Many cultures experienced golden ages,

including the Greeks and Guptas.

• A golden age is a time of peace, prosperity, and great cultural achievements.

• An Islamic golden age occurred during the Abbasid dynasty (8th century to 13th century).

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Islam spread through conquest and trade.The Abbasid dynasty ruled a vast empire.

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The Islamic Golden Age• The Muslims experienced a golden age.

• During the Islamic golden age, there were great advances in mathematics, medicine, architecture, and the arts.

• It is important to remember that under the Abbasids, Islam became a blending of many cultures leading to great achievements.

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Muhammad forbade making images of Godor people. Islamic artists frequently used

geometric designs in their works ofart.

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Muslim rulers built beautiful mosques. Amosque is an Islamic house of worship.

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Muslim doctors learned how to diagnosediseases like smallpox and measles.

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Muslimdoctors

discoveredthat bloodmoves to and from

theheart.

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Muslims borrowed the concept of zerofrom India and developed Arabic numerals.

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Muslimmathematicians

alsomade

advancesin algebra

and geometry.

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While much of Islamic literature was basedon the Qur’an, stories like Aladdin were

popular too.

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The vast Abbasid trading network encouraged cultural diffusion.

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Questions for Reflection:• What is a golden age?• List three cultures that experienced golden

ages.• Why did Islamic civilization experience a

golden age?• What is a mosque?• List two advances in mathematics and

science that occurred during the Islamic golden age.

• Why did Islamic artists rely on geometric designs?