During the Golden Age from the 7th to 13th centuries, the Islamic Empire became a center of trade, science, and culture. Its trade networks extended from Western Europe and North Africa to East Asia, promoting globalization. Major scientific advances were made in fields like algebra, optics, anatomy, and medicine through the works of scholars such as Al-Khwarizmi, Alhazen, Al-Zahrawi, and Avicenna. Architectural achievements included ornate buildings like the Alhambra palace and Dome of the Rock that featured intricate geometric designs and arabesque patterns. Literature and art also flourished as the empire expanded across three continents.

1. Welcome to Islam
During the Golden Age
Mid-7th Century – mid 13th Century

2. The Economy
The Islamic Empire is the world’s leading
extensive economic power!
 The Islamic Empire trade networks extend from the
Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean in the west to
the east to the Indian Ocean and the China Sea.
 The Empire contributes to globalization through trade
network.
 With the discovery of the Chinese papermaking process,
the use of paper grew throughout, beginning with
government into the rest of society. Books were published,
writing paper was sold, and credit was created.

3. Medicine
Al–Zahrawi’s (936–1013 CE) anatomy text was translated into Latin
and became a medical text used in Europe for centuries.
Avicenna (980–1037 CE) wrote The Canon, a medical textbook, as
well as an encyclopedia of philosophy,
Al–Razi (864–930 CE), the most famous Islamic doctor of the Golden
Age, was a skilled surgeon and wrote over 200 books on medicine.
He studied diseases ranging from small pox to chicken pox.
Furthermore, he practiced at the famous Muqtadari Hospital. He was
a chemist, who studies cure for ailments, and experimented with
using foods to heal.

4. Science
Al–Khwarizmi wrote a Algebra textbook
Arabic numerals and the idea of zero made algebra
possible
Alhazen (965–1040 CE) explained how eyesight works in
his publication the Book of Optics
Conducted experiments that inspired the scientific
method

5. Architecture
Famous Architecture
Alhambra Umayyad palace in Spain Dome of the Rock
Islamic architecture included intricate designs
including patterns and arabesques, with great
attention to detail using geometric patterns and
archways.
Buildings were simple on the outside but
overelaborate on the inside. Building materials
include: Stucco, Stone and Wood

6. Art and Literature
Art was apparent on pottery, paper manuscripts, textiles, and buildings
and included intricate designs vine and floral designs, as well as
geometric designs.
Wood and pottery were common materials. Gold and/or silver were
valued materials.
Muhammad’s teachings restricted using humans as figures to represent
the faith.
Literature became widespread. One example of a famous Arabian Short
Story included Sinbad and Aladdin from Arabian Nights.
Rumi (1207–1273) is famous for his love poems.
Averroes (1126–1198) wrote philosophy and religion and worked
extensively to translate the works of Aristotle.
Calligraphers created beautiful manuscripts of the Qur’an.

7. Political
Islam began in the Arabian Peninsula and spread
throughout the Middle East, North Africa, Spain, India,
and Southeast Asia.
Expansion was possible because of the strong armies,
common language, and fair treatment of conquered
people.
 All Muslims are required to learn Arabic to read the
Qur’an, the Islamic Holy Book.

8. Society
Muslims pursued rational, humanistic, and scientific dialogs in
their search for meaning and knowledge.
Literature covered topics such as poetry, love, science, and
philosophy.
They had an early emphasis on freedom of speech.
Because the empire expanded over such a large area, the
background of laborers was vast and they learned from each
other. Both Men and Women worked. Agriculture and Industry
flourished within a Market Economy.