Islamic AchievementsIX. Contributions

A. Cultural

1. House of Wisdom (Baghdad)

2. Translation of ancient texts into Arabic

3. Arabic alphabet

4. Universities

B. Art & Architecture

1. Architecture (Dome of the Rock)2. Mosaics

Mosaics: http://www.thejoyofshards.co.uk/history/index.shtml 3/25/04

B. Art & Architecture

3. Calligraphy

The bird http://www.islamicity.com/Culture/Calligraphy/cp133.htm 3/25/04

B. Art & Architecture4. Arabesques (geometric designs interwoven with plants, leaves, flowers, and stars)

B. Art & Architecture5. Minarets, domes, etc

http://www.bergen.org/AAST/Projects/Engineering_Graphics/_EG2001/pedi_corporation/islam.html 3/25/04

C. Philosophy & Literature

1. Qur’an2. Ibn Rushd – harmonize Aristotle’s and Plato’s views w/ Islam3. Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights)

D. Scientific1. Arabic numerals, inc. 0 (adapted from India)2. Astronomy3. Algebra4. Medicine5. Expansion of Geographic knowledge (astrolabe, sextant, compass)

Astrolabe: http://www.hps.cam.ac.uk/starry/isaslabe.html 3/25/04x² + 3x = 25http://members.aol.com/bbyars1/algebra.html 3/25/04

Chris Columbus