Think about:

Who is this, and what does it tell us about the achievements of the Islamic Empire???

Cultural Achievements

1. Architecture– Mosques

• Domes• Minarets

– Dome of the Rock – site in Jerusalem where Muhammad ascended into Paradise

Cultural Achievements

2. Art Forms

– Mosaics

– Calligraphy

– Geometric Designs

* Muslim law forbade the depiction of human forms in art (only Allah can create life)

Cultural Achievements

3. Alphabet & Language– Arabic

4. Book Making– Muslims made the first

bound books

Cultural Achievements

5. Universities– Located in:• Cordoba, Spain• Baghdad – House of Wisdom• Timbuktu, Mali

– Preserved Greek & Roman Learning– Improved on Persian and Indian discoveries– Translated Greek & Latin to Arabic

Cultural Achievements

6. Literature– Qu’ran is the standard for all literature & poetry

– The Rubiyat by Omar Khayyam (Poetry)

– The Thousand and One Nights – collection of fairy tales, parable & legends

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md-KdO2mYL4&feature=related&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1