Social Studies // LESSON 9

Adaptations

A change made to an existing object or way of doing things

Cultural Diffusion

The spread of cultural elements from one society to another

Diverse

A group of people or things with obvious differences between one another

Innovations

Something new; an improvement

Philosophers

A scholar, teacher, or thinker who seeks knowledge

Logic

A way of thinking that uses reason

Equation

A mathematical statement in which the answer equals the statement

Illuminated

To decorate a book with detailed designs and small pictures, especially using gold, silver, or bright colors

Golden Age

A period in a nations past during which its culture and society attained the height of achievement and power

Building & Architecture

Mosques

- Mosques had at least one minaret (tower), a small balcony for the muezzin to chant prayers, a courtyard with a fountain for washing before prayers, a Niche on the wall to tell which direction to pray, a Minbar (raised platform or staircase), and had thick walls for protection.

Mosque

A place of worship for Muslims

Baghdad

Was the capital due to its central location- took 100,000 architects, workers, & craftspeople 4 years to construct [ Referred to as "Round City"

Education

[ SCHOLARSHIP & LEARNING ] Muslim Scholars researched together in Europe, North Africa, & the Middle East to exchange ideas & build on one another's work -- Built centers of learning where Persian influences combined with the Arabic heritage of Islam

Zoology

[SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY] The scientific study of animals including making medicine from animal parts. This caused zoological gardens to be built

Irrigation & underground wells

[SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY] A system where they built canals and waterwheels to bring water to where it was needed

Maps

[ GEOGRAPHY & NAVIGATION ] Had extremely accurate maps that allowed traders to know a regions physical features with descriptions of trade routes. Separated by climate zones

Compass

[ GEOGRAPHY & NAVIGATION ] The compass was adapted from the Chinese and perfected to use to navigate directions when travelling. It points the four directions, North, East, South, and West, which greatly helped traders find their ways along their routes.

Astrolabe

[ GEOGRAPHY & NAVIGATION ] The astrolabe was invented by the Greek and adapted by us, and was able to be used to help determine latitude and time for navigation purposes.

Algebra

[ MATHEMATICS ] A way to determine a missing number in a equation by solving for x.

Zero

[ MATHEMATICS ] Concept was taken from India who spread it over (INDIA DID NOT INVENT IT), plus spread decimals and fractions along with it.

Arabic Numerals

[ MATHEMATICS ] EX: 1, 2, 3, 4 . . . Made calculations easier and this also spread out among the lands- numerals are used today.

Hospitals

[ MEDICINE ] Focused on hospitals and surgery, and all built hospitals welcomed any and all people no matter of status. Future doctors trained here. Caravans were also driven to bring medical care to those who needed it and weren't near a hospital.

Surgery

[ MEDICINE ] Doctors were able to remove limbs, tumors, & cataracts using opium & hemlock as anesthetics // Antiseptics were made of herbs & thread was made of animal guts

Paper

[ BOOKMAKING & LITERATURE ] Paper was adapted and given to Muslims by the Chinese, and Muslims learned the art of making paper for their own literature- the art of making paper helped spread Muslim literature.

Books & Stories

[ BOOKMAKING & LITERATURE ] Books were made with leather bindings & miniature paintings // Bookmaking expanded with the stories gathered from other regions, such as Persia & India

Sufism

[ BOOKMAKING & LITERATURE ] Muslim literature was enriched by SUFISM, or Islam mysticism // Sufism is a religious practice that involved intense personal experiences of God, in addition to the regular performance of rituals

Calligraphy

[ ARTS & MUSIC ] The art of beautiful handwriting & considered the highest form of decorative arts-- Cursive, angled writing // artistically wrote the words of god. Used sharp reeds or bamboo dipped in ink to write on either parchment or paper

Geometric & Floral design

[ ARTS & MUSIC ] Sometimes religious & applied to everyday appliances like plates & candlesticks

Arabesque

[ ARTS & MUSIC ] Things from the natural world- nature, woven into things. EX: wound flowers, stems, leaves, & tendrils into patterns for boxes, ceramic bowls, tiles, carpets, & walls

Polo (I LOVE POLO)

[ RECREATION ] A sport in which men would ride on horses with a mallet in hand, and those men would be split into two teams. Goal of the sport is to strike the ball into the enemies goal first // Popular among the wealthy because horses represented status

Chess

[ RECREATION ] A strategical board game in which there are 2 players, a board, and a set of pieces, all with different usages. This game uses one move per turn, & the goal is to checkmate the opponent kings piece.