Classical Trade Routes & Rise of Islam – Notes 3

33 vocabulary flashcards covering classical trade routes, key Islamic beliefs, institutions, and early caliphates.

Silk Road

Overland network of trade routes linking the Roman, Persian, Indian, and Chinese worlds, famous for luxury‐good exchange.

Indian Ocean Trade

Maritime commercial system (by 500 CE) connecting East Africa, Arabia, Persia, India, Southeast Asia, and China.

Monsoon Winds

Seasonally predictable wind patterns that enabled safer, faster sailing across the Indian Ocean.

Lateen Sail

Triangular sail that allowed ships to tack against the wind, improving Indian Ocean navigation.

Yoke & Saddle

Technologies that allowed animals (camels, horses, oxen) to carry heavier loads, boosting overland trade.

Sub-Saharan Trade Network

Trans-African caravan routes that linked West and East Africa to broader Afro-Eurasian exchange.

Muhammad

Arab prophet (c. 570–632 CE) whose revelations founded Islam.

Quran

Central holy text of Islam containing Muhammad’s revelations.

Islam

Monotheistic religion preaching submission to Allah and guided by Muhammad’s teachings.

Ummah

Global community of Muslim believers united by faith.

Caliph

Successor to Muhammad combining religious and political leadership in the early Islamic world.

Five Pillars of Islam

Core duties: Shahadah, Salah, Zakat, Sawm (Fasting), and Hajj.

Shahadah

Declaration of faith that there is one Allah and Muhammad is His messenger.

Salah

Obligatory Muslim prayer performed five times daily.

Zakat

Mandatory almsgiving—typically 2.5 % of income—to aid the poor.

Sawm (Fasting)

Sunrise-to-sunset fasting during the month of Ramadan.

Hajj

Required pilgrimage to the Kaaba in Mecca at least once in a Muslim’s lifetime, if able.

Kaaba

Sacred cube-shaped shrine in Mecca central to Islamic worship.

Mecca

Arabian city where Muhammad first preached; site of the Kaaba and Hajj.

Medina

City to which Muhammad migrated (Hijra) and gained early followers.

Rashidun Caliphate

First four “Rightly Guided” caliphs (632–661 CE) marked by rapid expansion across Persia, Levant, N. Africa.

Dhimmi

Non-Muslim monotheists under Islamic rule granted protection but given second-class status.

Jizya

Tax levied on dhimmis that could be avoided by converting to Islam.

Umayyad Caliphate

Arab-led dynasty (661–750 CE) based in Damascus; expanded empire from Spain to India.

Abbasid Caliphate

Dynasty (750–1258 CE) centered in Baghdad; presided over Islamic Golden Age of learning and trade.

Abbasid Revolution

750 CE uprising of Arabs and non-Arab Muslims that ended Umayyad rule and established Abbasids.

Sunni Islam

Largest Muslim branch believing caliphs should be chosen by the community.

Shiʼa Islam

Branch holding that leadership belongs to Muhammad’s descendants, starting with Ali.

Seljuk Turks

Central Asian Turks who gained control of much of the Abbasid realm in the 11th century.

Mamluks

Slave-soldier class that later formed powerful Islamic states, notably in Egypt.

Mongols

Nomadic conquerors who sacked Baghdad in 1258, ending Abbasid political power.

Ottoman Empire

Turkish Sunni state (c. 1299–1922) that became main Islamic power after 1517.

Safavid Dynasty

Persian Shiʼa state (1501–1736) rivaling the Ottomans for regional dominance.