What does Medieval Baghdad Reveal?

Medieval Baghdad and the Muslim World

Baghdad is one of the most remembered and recorded parts of the Muslim world. It is important to remember that Baghdad is not reflective of all of the Muslim world.

Baghdad's legacy?

Some events, places and people from the past are remembered and others are lost. They are studied more in History or are represented more in popular media.
Why are some things given more significance than others?
- For example, Baghdad no longer exists but there are hundreds of other cities from its time that have survived. So why is Baghdad the city we remember?

Historical lens

Historians seek to find out what happened in the past and what the past was like. A past event or place might become significant if reveals other aspects of the past.
Sometimes extraordinary events or places in the past act like windows.
- If we look 'through' these windows carefully, we can develop ideas and theories about what more ordinary, hidden aspects of the past were like.

Baghdad vs. the Muslim world

Baghdad is one such window that leads to the medieval Muslim world.
Crucially, a lot of evidence from Baghdad has survived. Much of the wisdom left behind by scholars in Baghdad was also influential in Europe several centuries later.
Medieval Baghdad shows the Muslims' love of art, Muslims' love of God, Baghdadis' knowledge and practical skills, and its connections with the Muslim world and beyond.

Drawbacks

But, it is dangerous to view Baghdad as the only representation of the Muslim world.
Baghdad was a lively and special city. It gained more attention from the caliphs than other parts of the Islamic Empire. It became wealthier, grander and more developed than other places.
Other parts of the Muslim world weren't as developed as Baghdad. It is important to know this difference when studying the Muslim world today.

1The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

1.1Anglo-Saxon England

1.1.1Vikings & Anglo-Saxons

1.1.2Reasons for Viking Invasions

1.1.3Alfred the Great

1.1.4England's Revival

1.1.5Anglo-Saxon Towns

1.2The Contest for the English Throne

1.2.1Edward the Confessor's Death

1.2.2The Contenders

1.2.3Battle of Stamford Bridge

1.2.4Battle of Hastings

1.2.5Battle of Hastings Timeline

1.2.6End of Topic Test - Edward's Death to Hastings

1.2.7The Feudal System

1.2.8Castles

1.2.9The Domesday Book

1.2.10End of Topic Test - Feudal System & Domesday Book

1.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

1.3.1Origins of the Crusades

1.3.2Early Disputes Over the Holy Land

1.3.3The First Crusade

1.3.4Course of the Crusades

1.3.5Reasons for the Crusades

1.3.6Military Impact of the Crusades

1.3.7Scientific Impact of the Crusades

1.3.8Domestic Impact of the Crusades

1.3.9Christian Interpretation of the Crusades

1.3.10Muslim Interpretation of the Crusades

1.3.11End of Topic Test - The Crusades

1.3.12End of Topic Test - The Crusades 2

1.4King John

1.4.1King John

1.4.2King John's Power

1.4.3King John & the Church

1.4.4The Battle of Bouvines

1.4.5The Barons' Rebellion

1.4.6End of Topic Test - King John

1.4.7End of Topic Test - The Battle of Bouvines

1.4.8End of Topic Test - The BArons' Rebellion

1.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

1.5.1The Magna Carta

1.5.2Lasting Impact of the Magna Carta

1.5.3The Magna Carta & the Monarchy

1.5.4The Magna Carta & Democracy

1.5.5Contemporary Interpretations of King John

1.5.6Later Interpretations of King John

1.5.7Modern Interpretations of King John

1.5.8End of Topic Test - The Magna Carta

1.5.9End of Topic Test - Lasting Impact of Magna Carta

1.5.10End of Topic Test - Interpretations of King John

1.6The Black Death

1.6.1The Black Death

1.6.2The Impact of the Black Death

2Worldviews

2.1Time & History

2.1.1Measuring Time

2.2The Christian World

2.2.1Constantinople & the World in 1000

2.2.2Who was St Foy?

2.2.3The Significance of St Foy

2.3The Muslim World

2.3.1Location & Building of Baghdad

2.3.2House of Wisdom