Week: 11. Progress in the fields of Science, Literature, Philosophy and Geography under Abbasid Rule

  • The Islamic Golden Age started with the rise of Islam and establishment of the first Islamic state in 622.
  • The introduction of paper in the 10th century enabled Islamic scholars to easily write manuscripts; Arab scholars also saved classic works of antiquity by translating them into various languages.
  • The Arabs assimilated the scientific knowledge of the civilizations they had overrun, including the ancient Greek, Roman, Persian, Chinese, Indian, Egyptian, and Phoenician civilizations.
  • Scientists advanced the fields of algebra, calculus, geometry, chemistry, biology, medicine, and astronomy.
  • Many forms of art flourished during the Islamic Golden Age, including ceramics, metalwork, textiles, illuminated manuscripts, woodwork, and calligraphy.