Contributions of Muslims to World Civilization
I. Three dynasties of power in the Muslim world (661 CE – 11th century)
A. The Umayyad Dynasty (661 CE – 750 CE)
i. soon after Muhammad’s death, Mu’awiyah became the caliph
ii. some Muslims believed that the next leader of the religion should be a relative of
Muhammad. These people are called Shi’a.
iii. Islam expands to Spain and built the large city of Cordoba and a university for
Muslims, Christians, and Jews.
iv. Muslims were tolerant of other “people of the book” (Jews and Christians) but forced
polytheists to convert or die
v. Arabic became the official language of Islam
vi. they made an official coin money (an idea borrowed from Greeks and Romans)
B. The Abbasid Dynasty (750 CE – 10th century)
i. helped the growth of Islam by moving the capitol of the empire to Baghdad.
ii. Baghdad at the crossroads of trade routes and connected the vast empire.
iii. bridges, palaces, gardens, and the university were highlights of the new city
iv. the House of Wisdom is founded in 830 CE
v. students created an artistic style of writing called calligraphy
vi. artists also used calligraphy and flower designs because they could not show the image
of God or Muhammad.
vii. Astronomers (people who study astronomy) mapped the planets and stars and
believed the world was round
viii. Astronomers calculated the circumference of the Earth to within nine miles
ix. pharmacists identified the diseases smallpox and measles, performed the first
surgeries, and experimented with medicinal plants.
C. The Fatimid Dynasty (10th and 11th century)
i. made the capitol closer to Mecca when they built the city of Cairo in Egypt
ii. found religious tolerance difficult because European countries were starting the Crusade
Wars over the city of Jerusalem.
Contributions of Muslims to World Civilization
I. Three dynasties of power in the Muslim world (661 CE – 11th century)
A. The ______________Dynasty (661 CE – 750 CE)
i. Soon after Muhammad’s death, ______________ became the caliph
ii. Some Muslims believed that the next leader of Islam should be a relative of
Muhammad. These people are called ________.
iii. Islam expands to Spain and built the large city of ___________and a university for
Muslims, Christians, and Jews.
iv. Muslims were tolerant of other “people of the book” (___________________) and
forced polytheists to convert or die
v. ___________ became the official language of Islam
vi. They made an official _____________(an idea borrowed from Greeks and Romans)
B. The _________________Dynasty (750 CE – 10th century)
i. helped the growth of Islam by moving the capitol of the empire to______________.
ii. Baghdad was located at the ____________________________and connected the vast
empire.
iii. bridges, ___________, gardens, and the ________________were highlights of the new
city
iv. ____________________________________________________________
v. students created an artistic style of _____________called calligraphy
vi. artists also used calligraphy and _____________________ because they could not
show the image of _______________________.
vii. ________________ (people who study astronomy) mapped the planets and stars and
believed the world was round
viii. Astronomers also calculated the circumference of the Earth to within _______miles
ix. pharmacists identified the diseases ___________and__________, performed the
first______________, and experimented with medicinal plants.
C. The ________________Dynasty (10th and 11th century)
i. made the capitol _______________________________________________
ii. found religious tolerance difficult because European countries were starting the
____________________over the city of________________.