3.3.3

Development of Knowledge

Test yourself

Development of Knowledge

Knowledge was valued for its practical uses in the Islamic world. It made it possible to follow the teachings of Islam, alongside other scholarly fields.

Illustrative background for The Islamic Golden AgeIllustrative background for The Islamic Golden Age ?? "content

The Islamic Golden Age

  • The Islamic Golden Age was a period of intellectual, economic, cultural, and scientific prosperity in the Muslim world.
    • This period lasted from approximately the 8th to the 13th century.
  • In the 11th century, the caliph and rich citizens built madrasas, an early form of university.
    • This shows how important the development of knowledge was to the centre of the Muslim world.
    • This approach relied on the wealth of rich citizens, who set up organisations and funded research.
Illustrative background for Astronomy and astrology Illustrative background for Astronomy and astrology  ?? "content

Astronomy and astrology

  • Astronomy is the study of the planets, stars, and space.
  • Astrology is the study of the movement of the stars and planets and their impact on the world.
  • Arab scholars used ancient Greek and Hindu knowledge of the stars to calculate the direction of Makkah (Mecca) for prayer.
    • Muslims often pray in this direction.
    • They built upon the work of astronomers such as Ptolemy, a Greek astronomer from the 2nd century AD.
  • Astronomy was used to determine an accurate calendar for navigation and religious purposes.
Illustrative background for Mapping via the starsIllustrative background for Mapping via the stars ?? "content

Mapping via the stars

  • Large observatories were built to study the stars and planets.
  • Scholars made detailed globes to show the position of stars and planets to Earth.
    • The astrolabe was an invention that travellers used to find their position using the stars.
  • Al-Masudi, a 10th-century Arab geographer, used the stars and his own travels to create great maps.
Illustrative background for MathematicsIllustrative background for Mathematics ?? "content

Mathematics

  • Islamic scholars studied the mathematics of various countries, including Greece, India, and China.
  • Geometry (the maths of points lines and shapes) and trigonometry (the maths of triangles) saw a lot of development.
  • Al-Khwarizmi and Omar Khayyam, two Islamic mathematicians, helped develop algebra into its own field of mathematics.
  • Al-Khwarizmi helped introduce the Hindu decimal system to the Arab world.
Illustrative background for Engineering Illustrative background for Engineering  ?? "content

Engineering

  • The Islamic Empire lacked water. Much of their engineering efforts went into transporting water in a safe and efficient way.
    • Engineers developed and refined dams, canals, waterwheels, aqueducts, pumps and cisterns.
  • This shows that the development of knowledge had intellectual and practical purposes.
  • Other areas which saw development included mechanics, clocks, wind, power and chemistry.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium