3.3.7

What does Medieval Baghdad Reveal?

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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.

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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.

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

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