IslamIslam

TradeTrade

Trade began to prosper in the Arab Trade began to prosper in the Arab Empire around 750 under the Empire around 750 under the Abbasid dynasty. Abbasid dynasty.

Gold and slaves came from south of Gold and slaves came from south of the Sahara, gold and ivory from East the Sahara, gold and ivory from East Africa. India—sandalwood, spices Africa. India—sandalwood, spices and textiles. China—silk, porcelain. and textiles. China—silk, porcelain. Egypt—grain, Iraq—linens, dates, Egypt—grain, Iraq—linens, dates, jewels.jewels.

Banking and coin usage developed Banking and coin usage developed making exchanges easier.making exchanges easier.

Islamic cities surpassed the cities of Islamic cities surpassed the cities of Europe—they were administrative, Europe—they were administrative, cultural, and economic centers.cultural, and economic centers.

Palaces and Palaces and mosques were the mosques were the most impressive most impressive buildings. They buildings. They had public had public buildings. The buildings. The bazaar was vital to bazaar was vital to every Muslim city.every Muslim city.

Most people farmed or Most people farmed or herded in the empire. Free herded in the empire. Free peasants owned most of peasants owned most of the farmland. The wealthy the farmland. The wealthy landowner gained large landowner gained large estates while the peasant estates while the peasant farmed along the Nile.farmed along the Nile.

Koran teaches that all Koran teaches that all people are equal to Allah—people are equal to Allah—this has not been true in this has not been true in the Arab empire (rigid the Arab empire (rigid class system).class system).

Slavery was widespread in Slavery was widespread in the Arab empire. Islamic the Arab empire. Islamic law said to treat slaves law said to treat slaves fairly, and setting them fairly, and setting them free was considered a free was considered a good act.good act.

The Koran tells men to treat women The Koran tells men to treat women respectfully, and they could own and respectfully, and they could own and inherit property. inherit property.

Men dominated in the Arab Empire. Men dominated in the Arab Empire. Every woman had a male guardian. Every woman had a male guardian. Women were secluded at home and Women were secluded at home and

kept from social contacts with men kept from social contacts with men outside their family.outside their family.

Marriage was arranged. Marriage was arranged. Men could have up to four Men could have up to four

wives but they tended to wives but they tended to have fewer because of have fewer because of dowry. dowry.

The practice of divorce The practice of divorce was only extended to was only extended to men even though women men even though women had the right. had the right.

Women covered much of Women covered much of their bodies when in their bodies when in public (traditionally Arab public (traditionally Arab not Muslim).not Muslim).

The first few The first few centuries of the centuries of the Arab Empire Arab Empire scholars read and scholars read and translated Plato translated Plato and Aristotle. and Aristotle.

The translations The translations were put into the were put into the library in Baghdad library in Baghdad called the House of called the House of Wisdom. Wisdom.

Mathematics texts were brought Mathematics texts were brought from India.from India.

Papermaking was brought from Papermaking was brought from China—paper factories established in China—paper factories established in Baghdad.Baghdad.

Europeans recovered the works of Europeans recovered the works of Aristotle and other Greek Aristotle and other Greek philosophers through the Muslim philosophers through the Muslim world.world.

Islamic scholars created algebra and Islamic scholars created algebra and they had an observatory where they they had an observatory where they named stars. named stars.

They also perfected the astrolabe They also perfected the astrolabe used by sailors to determine their used by sailors to determine their location—this instrument allowed location—this instrument allowed Europeans to sail to America.Europeans to sail to America.

Medicine was developed as a field of Medicine was developed as a field of study.study.