Muslim Contributions to the World

What is cultural diffusion?

the spread of cultural elements from one society to another

Muslim contributions in disease

- Famous doctor named Ibn Sina - found that infections are caused by bacteria - studied measles and small pox - Cannon of Medicine book made by this doctor -later translated into Latin

Describe how mosques are designed

- Have one minaret (tower, with a small balcony) - Courtyard with fountain for cleaning before prayers - Minbar which is the pulpit - Prayer room -Niche to point to the Ka'bah inside prayer room

Muslim contributions in surgery

- opium and hemlock used to put patients to sleep - used thread made of animal guts to sew skin together - doctors removed limbs, tumors, and cataracts

List one example of Muslim literature. Where did these stories originate, where did they spread?

-A thousand and one nights (Arabian Nights) -originated from India, Persia, and Middle East -they spread all around the world and are adapted and changed in today's world into stories such as Aladdin and Sin bad the pirate

Why were al-Khwarizmi's books important to the field of mathematics

-All of his books were translated into Latin which we got Arabic numerals from such as 1 2 3 4 etc -his books taught us algebra (from al-Jbar)

How did Muslim philosophers follow the example of greek philosophers

-Plato and Aristotle -taught muslims to use knowledge and logic to prove important things

What factors combined to promote learning in Muslim lands

-acceptance of the Arabic language - this allowed people to share ideas cause they knew the language - this led to a house of wisdom where scholars mets to do research and translate texts

What is Chess, why was it popular during medieval times?

-chess is a battle of wits in which players move pieces on a board according to a set of complex rules -became popular because players enjoyed the intellectual challenge that chess presented

What technological advancements did Muslims make to take advantage of water resources

-dams -aquaducts -improved exiting systems of canals -underground wells -water wheels

Muslim contributions to Hospitals

-had about 5 in Baghdad -served as teaching centers for learning doctors

List two ways Muslims adapted and expanded bookmaking?

-illuminated bindings and pages with designs in gold -did a lot of poetry -binded books together

Muslim contributions in medicine

-made remedies out of herbs, plants, animals, and minerals -antiseptics (fights infections)

List two Muslims achievements in Geography and navigation

-muslims made accurate maps due to the study of geography -Muslims created an astrolabe which is a navigating device for computing time based on location of the sun and stars

Describe contributions made by muslim scholars in Astronomy

-navigation tools were improved to get directions to Mecca by using stars -figured out exact times for prayer and the length of Ramadan

List two ways textiles were important to Medieval Muslims

-practical items -useful in trading -it was used in clothing.. it showed Muslim status symbols such as caliph

Describe contributions made by muslim scholars in Zoology

-studied how to make medicine out of animal parts -presented the theory of evolution

What was Polo, why was it popular during medieval times?

-teams on horseback used mallets to strike a ball though a goal -became popular amongst rich because horses were seen as prestigious

What types of designs did Muslims use in their decorative art?

-they used shapes and patterns found in nature and and geometry to create designs

List three important details about the city of Baghdad

-village was between the Tigris and Euphrates river in present day Iraq -Crossroad of trade routes connecting distant parts of the empire -it took crafts people 100,000 architects, workers, and crafts people four years to build

Describe two navigational instruments adapted and perfected by muslims

Compass -a device to show what direction you are traveling in Astrolobe -navigating device for computing time based on location of the sun and star

How did the location of Islamic lands make cultural diffusion possible?

Four major trading cities are located in the Arabian Peninsula, making it easier for word to spread

What was unique about the music developed in Cordoba, Spain

It blended a unique style developed that blended the elements of Arab and native Spanish cultures

Why did Islamic culture flourish, despite the fact that the Muslim empire did not last?

Many things Muslims did was shared and passed along to other cultures. Such as their contributions in music, medicine, math, science, architecture, and so much more!

What role did Ibn Sina's book, The Canon of Medicine, play in the Medieval World?

Medical schools used these texts to teach their students