The Golden Age of Islam
Introduction:
From the foundation of Islam in the seventh century to the seventeenth century when the last
two Islamic empires – the Ottoman and Safavid reached their peak, enormous intellectual and
cultural developments took place. While the West struggled in a period called “The Dark Ages”,
in science, astronomy, mathematics, law, history, medicine, pharmacology, literature,
architecture, music, and philosophy, a “Golden Age” of discovery was flourishing in the Islamic
World. This “Golden Age” would serve to preserve learning and knowledge while it declined in
the West and act as springboard to the future European Renaissance. Men and women of many
different ethnicities, living under Muslim Civilization made extraordinary advances during this
period and the advances touch every part of society today.
Their civilization leaves us with several enduring questions:
1. What elements were in place that allowed the Muslim civilization to flourish for more
than eleven centuries?
2. In what ways do the unique contributions and achievements of a given culture define that
culture and positively affect and influence all people?
3. What is the relationship among artistic, creative, scientific, technological, and literary
expressions and the civilizations that produce them?
Assignment:
You have been assigned to a specific group that addresses the following elements of Muslim
Civilization: 1.Islamic Art, Performing Arts and Architecture 2. Science 3. Medicine 4.
Philosophy and Literature and 5. Mathematics. After researching your specific question within
an area, you must complete the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Take notes in Noodeltools.com and share notes with Ms. Rajen.
Cite at least 2 books and 2 Internet sites concerning your area.
Correctly cite all of your sources using Noodletools.com Bibliography.
Write a single-spaced, full sentence outline that provides information concerning your
research findings, using Noodletools notes.
5. Prepare a presentation that incorporates the key findings of your research including the
image and citation of a supporting primary source.
6. Deliver an 8 minute four person/group presentation (2 minutes/person) to the class.
Research Guidance
1. Find 1-3 page overview of the topic in an encyclopedia, Wikipedia or reference book
that explains the who, what, where, when, how, etc.
2. Use the database ArtStor if you have a question about Islamic art or architecture and
Biography Reference Center if you have question concerning a specific person.
3. Underline/highlight the key search terms in the topic. Use the keywords to search the
indexes and table of contents of books on the reserve cart.
4. For Internet sites, go to Eagle Eyes and type in the words Arabic inventions
5. Be systematic in the research process. Take all the notecards from one source before
moving on to the next.
6. Create notecards that are composed of one idea per card. Out of the fifteen notecards,
limit the use of direct quotations.
7. Photocopy pages from relevant books for work at home. Remember to copy the title
page for citation purposes.
Golden Age of Islam
Syllabus
Day 1 January __________ (Library)
Find an overview of you topic. Begin research using Noodletools.com to create
notecards. Share three with Mrs. Rajen
Day 2 January __________ (Library)
Research print and online materials for specific information. Continue creating
notecards and building a bibliography.
Day 3 January __________ (Library)
Continue researching print and online materials for information. Continue creating
notecards and building a bibliography.
Day 4 January __________ (Library)
Notecards, including appropriate citations/bibliography due by 1st period to Mrs.
Rajen – work on outline – Hand in on required date.
Day 5 January __________ (Library)
Complete full sentence outline and give to Mrs. Rajen. Gather with group to plan and
complete an 8 minute presentation.
January ___________ (in class)
Deliver group presentation to classmates.
January ____________ (in class)
Deliver group presentation to classmates.
Group 1 Islamic Art, Performing Arts, and Architecture
1. During the “Golden Age of Islam” Arabs made significant contributions to music
by inventing the rababah (forerunner of the violin), the qanun, (table zither), lute
that led to the Spanish guitar, and a system of musical notation. Describe these
musical instruments and how they were designed, played and sounded.
Research the contributions of Al-Farabi and Ziryab to the field of music.
Explain how these instruments and Arab music influenced other musical
forms such as Flamenco.
Sources: Lewis, Bernard. The World of Islam pp. 161-179; Al Hassani, Salim.
1001 Inventions Muslim Heritage in Our World pp. 34-37; Morgan, Michael
Hamilton. Lost History the Enduring Legacy of Muslim Scientists, Thinkers and
Artists pp. 109, 239-242; Graham, Mark. How Islam Created the Muslim World
pp. 78-82; National Geographic. 1001 Inventions & Awesome Facts from Muslim
Civilization pp. 42-43
2. Three of the most important and famous buildings that were produced during the
Golden Age of Islam are the Dome of the Rock, the Mosque of Cordoba, and the
Alhambra. Describe the distinctive style of each building. Explain the Muslim
implementation of arches, domes, spires, and vaults in their construction of
such beautiful buildings.
Sources: Esposite, John L. The Islamic world Past and Present Vol. 1 pp. 41-45;
Lewis, Bernard. The World of Islam pp. 57-88; Hoag, John D. Islamic
Architecture pp. 16- 18, 77-81, 122-134. Stewart, Desmond. The Alhambra pp.1121; Graham, Mark. How Islam Created the Modern World pp. 171-172;
Macdonald, Fiona. 16th Century Mosque pp. all of them
3.
Artistic expression in the Islamic world took the form of the arts of the book:
calligraphy, manuscript illumination, and bookbinding. Object art consisted of
metalwork, ceramics, glass and textiles (especially hand-woven carpets).
Research the contributions that Islam made to the arts of the book, ceramics,
jewelry, and carpets. Find an outstanding visual example of each and
describe the materials, colors, and design they used.
Source: The Islamic World v. 1 pp.46-53; Barnard, Byrn. The Genius of Islam pp.
10-11, 16-17, 32-33; Hassani, Salim. 1001 Inventions, pp. 134-147; Esposito,
John L. The Islamic World Past and Present pp. 46-53; Rice, David Talbot.
Islamic Art pp. 139, 177-180, passim; pottery, passim; Fiske, Patricia L. From the
Far West: Carpets and Textiles from Morocco pp. 20-22, 39, 55-82.
4. Mosques constitute the physical symbol of a Muslim’s faith. It is where Muslims
go to worship and listen to sermons. One of the most beautiful mosques was
constructed for Sultan Ahmet (also spelled Sultan Ahmed) in Istanbul by architect
Sedefkar Mehmed Aga. It is also known as The Blue Mosque because of its
beautiful blue tiles. Find a picture, drawing, or illustration of the Blue
Mosque. Use the image to describe the building’s architectural structure,
carvings, carpets, and tiles. Explain how the mosque was also a place where
medicine was dispensed and charity distributed.
Source: Macdonald, Fiona. 16th Century Mosque pp. 22 + Cosman, Madeleine
Pelner & Jones, Linda Gale. Handbook to Life in the Medieval World. Vol. 2 pp.
609-613; Le Bon, G. The World of Islamic Civilization, pp. 30-31.
Group 2 Medicine
1. Pharmacies during the Golden Age of Islam were as common as the presence of
contemporary CVS drugstores. By the 9th century government-inspected
pharmacies were a common site in Baghdad markets. Choose four
physician/pharmacists from the list below and describe their specific
contributions to medicine either by their written work and/or the creation of
drugs or procedures to cure various ailments. Write about how European
doctors/pharmacists benefited from the treatises, drugs, and treatments that
the Arabs made during the Golden Age of Islam. 1. Sabur ibn Sahl 2. Al-Razi
3. Ibn Sina 4. Al Kindi 5. Al Zahrawi 6. Abu al Mansur Muwaffaq 7. Malaga
Muslim, Ibn al-Baytar
Sources: Blanchard, Anne & Cerisier, Emmanuel. Arab Science and Invention in
the Golden Age pp.39-45; Khan, Aisha Avicenna (Ibn Sina) (entire book); The
History of the Ancient & Medieval World: Christianity & Islam vol. 8 p.1129;
Romanek, Trudee. Science, Medicine, and Math in the Early Islamic World
pp.12-19; Ramen, Fred Albucasis (Abu Al-Qasim Al-Zahrawi) pp.63-83; AlKhalili, Jim. The House of Wisdom. pp. 128-137, 140-150, 156-162, 176-181,
197-198; ; Al-Hassani, Salim T.S. 1001 Inventions pp. 54-55, 178-185; Turner,
Howard R. Science in Medieval Islam pp. 131-161 (note: pp. 140-161 are images
of primary source materials); Morgan, Michael Hamilton. Lost History pp. 165167, 182-204; Cosman, Madeleine Pelner and Linda Gale Jones. Handbook to
Life in the Medieval World Vol. 2 pp. 526-531; Al-Hassani, Salim T.S. 1001
Inventions: Muslim Heritage in Our World pp.184-187
2. Abu al-Qasim al Zahrawi (also known as Abulcasis) is considered the “Father of
Modern Surgery.” What book did he author? Describe and provide the use of
several surgical instruments, medical procedures that he invented. Research
the medical discoveries of Al-Razi with suture material, Ibn Sina with
cancer, and Ibn al-Quff with bladder conditions. What Arab discoveries and
procedures are still part of modern medical practice?
Sources: Khan, Aisha Avicenna (Ibn Sina) pp. ;Romanek, Trudee. Science,
Medicine, and Math in the Early Islamic World pp.12-17; Ramen, Fred Albucasis
(Abu Al-Qasim Al-Zahrawi) pp.63-83; Khalili, Jim. The House of Wisdom.
pp.197-198; Al-Hassani, Salim T.S. 1001 Inventions pp. 158-165; Cosman,
Madeleine Pelner and Linda Gale Jones. Handbook to Life in the Medieval World
Vol. 2 pp. 526-532
3. Centuries before Dr. William Harvey proved how blood circulated in 1628, IbnAl Nafis discovered a similar process in the 13th century. Research the
important events, achievements in the life of Ibn-Al-Nafis. Find historical
evidence that shows Al-Nafi’s discovery of blood circulation pre-dated that of
William Harvey’s.
Sources: Romanek, Trudee. Science, Medicine, and Math in the Early Islamic
World pp.12-17; Khalili, Jim. The House of Wisdom. pp. 235-237; Aisha
Avicenna (Ibn Sina) p. 81; Al-Hassani, Salim T.S. 1001 Inventions pp. 166-167;
Morgan, Michael Hamilton. Lost History pp. 214-215; Nasr, Seyyed Hossein.
Science and Civilization in Islam pp. 213-214; Al-Hassani, Salim T.S. 1001
Inventions: Muslim Heritage in Our World pp.168-170
4. Vaccination was a major, medical Arab breakthrough. Explain the process by
which the Turks inoculated their children against the dreaded disease, smallpox.
Research the role Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (1689-1762) played in
introducing the smallpox vaccination from Turkey to England. Explain why
the discovery of vaccination has been attributed to Edward Jenner rather
than the Turks. What primary source can you find that contradicts and
confirms the Turks’ discovery?
Sources: Al-Hassani, Salim T.S. 1001 Inventions pp.176-177; Cosman, Madeleine
Pelner and Linda Gale Jones. Handbook to Life in the Medieval World Vol. 2
pp.527-528; Al-Hassani, Salim T.S. 1001 Inventions: Muslim Heritage in Our
World pp. 178-179; Turner, Howard R. Science in Medieval Islam pp. 131-161.
Group 3 Philosophy and Literature
1. Ibn Rushd (also known as Averroes) was a famous Arab philosopher whose
notable work includes the reconciliation of reason with faith. Write a
biographical sketch of his life that includes a detailed summary of his
philosophy and other scholarly contributions to intellectual discourse.
Sources: Sonneborn, Liz. Averroes. Select appropriate pages; The History of the
Ancient & Medieval World: Christianity & Islam vol. 8 p.1129; Nasr, Seyyed
Hossein. Science and Civilization in Islam pp.53-54, 312-321; Khalili, Jim. The
House of Wisdom. pp. 199-200; Cosman, Madeleine Pelner and Linda Gale Jones.
Handbook to Life in the Medieval World Vol. 2 pp. 402-403
2. Poetry was an important form of literary expression in the Muslim world. Some of
the most well-known verse forms associated with Arabic poetry originated in
Persia. Describe three Arab verse forms associated with Persia. Be sure to
mention Khayyma’s The Rubaiyat, Anvari’s Tears of Khorasan, Nizami’s
Khamsah, and Firdawsi’s Shah-nameh (The Book of Kings)
Source: Esposito, John L. The Islamic World v.2 pp. 108-114; Exploring the
Middle Ages pp. 214; Cosman, Madeleine Pelner and Linda Gale Jones.
Handbook to Life in the Medieval World Vol. 3 pp. 683-685, 703-708; Flatt,
Lizann. Arts and Culture in the Early Islamic World. pp.34-35; Miles, Jack. The
Norton Anthology of World Religions. pp.1796-1803; Lewis, Bernard. Music of a
Distant Drum. Introduction; pp.108-109; Kritzeck, James. Anthology of Islamic
Literature. pp. 116-123, 167-169
3. Greek, Persian, and Latin knowledge was preserved by famous Arab translators
and scholars including Abdul Malik during the Abbasid dynasty. Provide titles
and short annotations of some of the texts Malik and others translated. How
did the translators work to ensure accuracy and truth in their translations?
Explain and give examples of how the translations of well-known Greek,
Persian, and Latin texts preserved learning and knowledge for the world.
Sources: Al-Hassani, Salim T.S. 1001 Inventions pp.80-83; Barnard, Bryn The
Genius of Islam pp.32-35; Van Sertima, Ivan. Golden Age of the Moor pp.205210, 254-255; Abboud, Tony. Al-Kindi. pp. 30-40; Khan, Aisha. Avicenna (Ibn
Sina) pp. 25-27; Graham, Mark. How Islam Created the Modern World. pp. 4549, 98-99; Khalili, Jim. The House of Wisdom. pp.35-48
4. During the Islamic Golden Age, a collection of West and South Asian stories and
folk tales was published known as A Thousand and One Nights. Choose three
stories from this famous compilation and summarize the character and plot
development. Explain how this book exemplifies significant patterns of
Arabic literature with its use of repetition, the frame story, and absence of a
beginning or an ending. Briefly discuss the influence of A Thousand and One
Nights on European literature and culture.
Sources: Miles, Jack. The Norton Anthology of World Religions. pp. 1824-1831;
Khan, Aisha. Avicenna (Ibn Sina) pp. 25; Cosman, Madeleine Pelner and Linda
Gale Jones. Handbook to Life in the Medieval World Vol. 3 pp. 642, 702;
Alderson, Brian & Foreman, Michael. The Arabian Nights pp. 185-191 and
additional pages as appropriate; McCaughrean, Geraldine. One Thousand and
One Arabian Nights. (various pages as appropriate)
Group 4 Mathematics
1. The use of Hindi-Arabic numerals (before there were only Roman numerals or the
abacus) was a significant innovation. Research the mathematicians who made
these discoveries and how the invention of Arabic numerals led to the invention
of Algebra, trigonometry, and computers.
Sources: Lindberg, David. The Beginnings of Western Science. pp 177-178, 189,
199, 201, 202-203; Barnard, Bryn. The Genius of Islam. pp. 14-15; Hobson, John.
The Eastern Origins of Western Civilisation. pp. 176-177; 1001 Inventions &
Awesome Facts from Muslim Civilization (Nat Geo Kids) 36-37, 52,79,90;
Romanek, Trudee. Science, Medicine, and Math. pp. 30-33;
2. Al-Khwarizmi was one of the most important figures of the Islamic Golden Age
in the fields of Algebra and Astronomy. Write a short biography of AlKhwarizmi that emphasizes his achievements and scholarship and the
contributions that he made to Algebra and Astronomy. Explain how he
furthered Europeans’ understanding of the mathematical sciences.
Source: The Islamic World V. 2 pp. 133-137; 1001 Inventions Muslim Heritage in
our World, pp. 262-267; Brezina, Corona. Al-Khwarizmi: The Inventor of
Algebra; Romanek, Trudee. Science, Medicine, and Math in the Early Islamic
World. pp. 30,31,32,42; Turner, Howard. Science in Medieval Islam. pp. 47-48,
53, 205; Nasr, Seyyed. Science and Civilization in Islam; pp.45,158-159.
3. Geometry had many applications in the Islamic world. Describe the advances
that Islamic mathematicians made with geometry including: designing curves
for sundials; determining latitude and longitude; the distance between cities,
and the direction from one city to another. Explain how artisans also
benefited from Islamic advances in geometry.
Sources: 1001 Inventions, pp. 96-99; Morgan, Michael. Lost History The
Enduring Legacy of Muslims. pp. 89,92,95-96,110,122,124,126; Lindberg, David.
The Beginnings of Western Science. pp. 13, 160, 177-178; Esposito, John. The
Islamic World Past and Present. pp. 135-136; Nasar, Seyyed. Science and
Civilization in Islam. pp. 26,61,63,75,48,52,157; Sutton, Daud. Islamic Design A
Genius for Geometry;
4. Muslim mathematicians made one of their most ground-breaking contribution to
mathematics in the field of optics. Explain and describe the contributions of
Ibn al-Haytham, Abu ibn Sahl and Kamal al-Din-al Farisi to the field of
optics.
Sources: Graham, Mark. How Islam Created the Modern World. pp. 71-74;
Romanek, Trudee. Science, Medicine, and Math in the Early Islamic World. pp.
20,21,31,38,39; Al-Hassani, Salim. Muslim Heritage in Our World 1001
Inventions. pp. 26-28, 29, 94, 304, 318, 322, 323; Al-Khalili, Jim. The House of
Wisdom. pp. 156-165.
5. Explain how Muslim astronomers introduced new mathematical concepts,
such as trigonometry, into the science of astronomy. How were Islamic
astronomers able to make accurate calculations about the stars and planets?
Mention and describe the work and contributions of astronomers Thabit ibn
Qurrah, Al-Battani, and Abid al-Rahman-al-Sufi. Explain how the Muslim
religion was an impetus for astronomical discoveries.
Sources: The Islamic World V. 3. pp. 64-65; Blanchard, Anne. Arab Science and
Invention in the Golden Age. pp. 56-59; Khalili, Jim. The House of Wisdom.
pp.163,186, 22545,47,80,206; Turner, Howard. Science in Medieval Islam. pp.
48,69,100; Hobson, John. The Eastern Origins of Western Civilization. pp.
177,180;
Group 5 Science
1.Scientists developed sophisticated technologies that advanced their societies.
They excelled in the field of water engineering or hydrology. Explain the
technology behind the water wheel and the water clock and their uses for
drinking water and agricultural irrigation. Describe the Muslim
constructions of dams, reservoirs, canals, and underground channels to reroute water to needed areas.
Sources: Hobson, John. The Eastern Origins of Western Civilisation. pp.126-127;
Romanek, Trudee. Science, Medicine, and Math in the Early Islamic World. pp.
26-27. Irrigation 26-27.29; Al-Hassani, Salim. 1001 Inventions Muslim Heritage
in Our World. water clocks pp.14,15-17, 113. water management pp.112-123.
watermills pp.124. waterwheels pp.105,114-119,122,140;
2.The Arabs were outstanding navigators inventing technological marvels
including the magnetic compass. Find evidence of their invention from a
collection of stories written by Muhammed al-Awfi. Describe how the
compass worked and how it furthered oceanic exploration. Famous navigators
also produced treatises of sailing instructions. Describe the contributions of 16th
century Admiral Piri Reis.
Sources: 1001 Inventions. pp. 252-253; Hobson, John. The Eastern Origins of
Western Civilisation. pp.122-123; Blanchard, Anne. Arab Science and Invention
in the Golden Age. pp. 52-53; Turner, Howard. Science in Medieval Islam.
pp.102,109; Al-Hassani, Salim. 1001 Inventions Muslim Heritage in Our World.
compass pp.77,262. navigation pp.252,254,262-267,292. Naval Handbook (Piri
Re’is) pp.263
3.Islamic scientists constantly contemplated the origins of rocks, minerals,
mountains, earthquakes, and weather. Describe the contributions of Ibn Sina
(also known as Avicenna) in mineralogy and meteorology; Al Biruni in
mineralogy; Al-Hamdani’s study of gold, silver and other gems. Cite the
books that they wrote about earth science. Explain how they influenced the
thinking of Leonardo da Vinci, Nicolas Steno, and James Hutton. (Add some
additional Muslims perhaps)
Source: 1001 Inventions p. 231; Muslim Heritage in Our World pp. 243-244,
323;Khan, Aisha. Avicenna (Ibn Sina), pp.44-72; Scheppler, Bill. Al-Biruni p.43;
Al-Hassani, Salim. 1001 Inventions Muslim Heritage in Our World. mineralogy
and meteorology pp.242-245. earth science and gems pp.242-245;
Prepared by: K. Craver, K. Dickinson, and J. Lucas 10/2015