The Umayyad

Who founded the Umayyad dynasty?

Muawiya, a noble from Mecca, in 661.

Where did the Umayyad caliphs establish their capital?

In Damascus.

Why did the Abbasid family rise to power?

They led a revolution against the Umayyads, who were seen as corrupt and impious.

What happened to the Umayyads after the Abbasid revolution?

The Umayyads were massacred, and the Abbasids founded a new caliphate.

Where did the Abbasids establish their new capital?

In Baghdad, in Mesopotamia.

How large was Baghdad around 800?

It had nearly 1 million inhabitants, making it the second-largest city in the world after Chang'an.

What made the Abbasid caliphate a significant empire?

It stretched from the borders of India to the Atlantic and facilitated the exchange of goods and knowledge.

What agricultural advancements were made during the Abbasid period?

Advanced irrigation techniques led to flourishing agriculture.

What cultural contributions did the Abbasids make?

The exchange and development of knowledge, including the spread of Indian numerals (known as "Arabic" in Europe).

Who is the most famous Abbasid caliph from the Golden Age?

Harun al-Rashid, known from the legends of One Thousand and One Nights.

Who was the most prestigious Abbasid caliph during the Golden Age?

Al-Ma'mun, the son of Harun al-Rashid.

What major intellectual center did Al-Ma'mun establish in Baghdad?

The Bayt al-Hikma (House of Wisdom).

What was the purpose of the House of Wisdom?

To translate classical Greek texts and treatises from China and India into Arabic.

Which communities participated in the translations at the House of Wisdom?

Muslims, Christians, and Jews.

What types of texts were translated at the House of Wisdom?

Works of Greek philosophers, like Aristotle, and other classical and foreign knowledge.

How did the Abbasids contribute to the spread of science?

They advanced many scientific fields, including mathematics, astronomy, and medicine.

What is the significance of the term "Arabic numerals"?

The number system we use today, which was borrowed from India through the Arab world.

How did the Abbasid caliphate influence global knowledge?

It became a center for learning, preserving and expanding upon ancient knowledge.

What role did Baghdad play in the medieval world?

It was a major hub for trade, culture, and intellectual exchange.

What technological advancements flourished under the Abbasids?

Innovations in irrigation, medicine, and mathematic