Historical Context
When did the Islamic Golden Age begin?
In the 8th Century
What was the main language of scholars?
Arabic
Who is known as the father of algebra?
Al-Khwarizmi
Who wrote The Canon of Medicine?
Ibn Sina (Avicenna)
Who was Ibn Rushd known as in Europe?
Averroes
Which caliphate led the start of the Golden Age?
The Abbasid Caliphate
What was a madrasa?
An Islamic school for higher learning
What does the word “algebra” come from?
From the Arabic word “al-jabr”
What field did Alhazen (Ibn al-Haytham) pioneer?
Optics and experimental science
What did Al-Farabi contribute to philosophy?
He helped merge Greek philosophy with Islamic thought
Who was the caliph during the peak of this era?
Harun al-Rashid
What major institution was built in Baghdad for knowledge?
The House of Wisdom
What mathematical system did Muslims adopt and spread?
The Hindu-Arabic numeral system (including zero)
Who is known for surgical innovations?
Al-Zahrawi
What was Ibn Sina’s view on reason and faith?
He believed reason could lead to truth, alongside faith
What major event marked the decline of the Golden Age?
The Mongol sack of Baghdad in 1258
What role did translation play in this era?
It preserved and expanded upon Greek, Persian, and Indian knowledge
What astronomical tool did Muslim scientists improve?
The astrolabe
How did hospitals function during this era?
As advanced teaching and treatment centers, open to all
How did Islamic philosophers influence Europe?
Their works were translated into Latin and studied in universities
How did political fragmentation affect intellectual life?
It disrupted scholarly networks and reduced state support for learning
How did Arabic help unite scholars of different backgrounds?
It served as a common scientific and literary language across regions
How did Islamic astronomers correct Ptolemaic models?
By refining planetary motion data and developing new theories
What was the significance of clinical trials in Islamic medicine?
They introduced systematic testing of treatments and diagnoses
What debate did Islamic philosophers face with theologians?
Whether reason could challenge or support divine revelation