1.2 Flashcards
What was the House of Wisdom and where was it located?
A center of learning in Baghdad where scholars from far away came to study.
What happened to the Abbasid Empire after its decline?
It was replaced by other Islamic states.
What were some of the challenges faced by the Abbasid Empire in the 1100s and 1200s?
Conflicts with nomadic groups from Central Asia and European invaders.
Who were the Mamluks and how did they come to power in Egypt?
They were enslaved people, often ethnic Turks, who were purchased to serve as soldiers and later as bureaucrats. They seized control of the government and established the Mamluk Sultanate.
What contributed to the decline of the Mamluk Sultanate’s power?
The development of new sea routes for trade by the Portuguese and other Europeans.
Who were the Seljuk Turks and what impact did they have on the Abbasid Empire?
The Seljuk Turks were a Central Asian group of Muslims who began conquering parts of the Middle East in the 11th century, They changed the Abbasid caliph’s job so that he was mainly just a top religious leader for Sunni Muslims.
How did Islamic scholars contribute to the spread of paper-making?
They adopted the technique from China and taught it to Europeans.
How did Islamic scholars influence European mathematics?
They studied Indian mathematics and passed that knowledge to Europeans.
How did trade and shared laws help the Islamic world remain a cultural region?
Trade spread goods and ideas
What problems did Baghdad face as it lost its trade importance
Baghdad couldn’t afford to repair its canals, and farmers couldn’t produce enough food, leading to the city’s decay.
How did trade routes change and affect Baghdad?
Trade routes shifted north, causing Baghdad to lose its central trade position, which led to a loss of wealth and population.
How did Sufi missionaries help spread Islam?
They adapted to local cultures and traditions, sometimes mixing local religious elements with Islam, which helped them gain many converts.
How were merchants viewed in Islamic society compared to other societies at the time?
Merchants were highly respected in Islamic society. Muhammad and his first wife were both merchants, and merchants were admired if they were fair and charitable.
What were the rules regarding slavery in Islamic societies?
Islam prohibited enslaving other Muslims or monotheists (like Jews and Christians). Enslaved people from other regions could be converted to Islam and then freed.
What role did enslaved women sometimes have in Islamic society?
They had more independence, like going to markets, and could earn money through performing to eventually buy their freedom.
