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Muslim identity in Europe
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The Moorish presence on the Iberian Peninsula lasted from 711 C.E. until 1492 C.E. While the rest of Europe wallowed in the Dark Ages, in Islamic Spain the flame of knowledge was kept burning by the Muslim invaders. While they possessed a vast body of knowledge in their own right; furthermore, they also posses writing from Greek philosophers as well as the library at Alexandria. Christians, Muslims, and Jews thrived under Muslim rule, exchanging ideas and knowledge that would be passed on to the rest of Europe during and after the Reconquista. It is my opinion that this knowledge and technology led Europe into the renaissance. The Damascene technique of metal-smithing, industrial chemistry and the water clock are some examples of the technology passed on.
Damascus steel is characterized by water like patterns and an unmatched resiliency. The Damascene technique of sword-smithing originated in Damascus, Syria in approximately 300 B.C.E. and is thought to be a result of using Wootz iron ingots imported from India. Others believe that is a result of “pattern welding” in which two or more types of metal are forge-welded together and then twisted to form a pattern rather than folding. The Damascene technique was thought to be lost in the mid 1700’s; however, during the Middle Ages Toledo blacksmiths produced some of the finest sword and knives using the pattern welding technique. According to Graeme Young of the Bamburgh Research Project, “ Weapons were highly prized and weaponry making was a jealously guarded secret. Great care would be taken to ensure the loyalty of their weapons smiths” (Northumberland Gazette). This may be the reason the technique was thought to have been lost. Damascus and Toledo steel were said to be able to be ...
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...re already present; however, the Moors introduced precision and technology that led to mechanical clocks. Where would the Western world be today had not Spain been conquered by the Moors? Perhaps there would have been no Renaissance, or maybe medical discoveries would have been set 100 years. I, for one, am glad that there was a time that Muslims, Christians and Jews could live together in peace and prosperity.
Works Cited
Al Hassan, Ahmad Y., and Donald R. Hill. "Pg. 58&59." Islamic Technology: An Illustrated History. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1986. Print.
Husain, Muzzafar. Islams Contribution to Science. New Dehli: Anmol Publications PVT., 2004. Print.
"Unique Castle Sword Found in a Suitcase." Http://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/local-news/unique_castle_sword_found_in_a_suitcase_1_1372598. Northumberland Gazette, 22 June 2006. Web. 26 Apr. 2011.
The Kunz Axe is a votive axe that is associated with the Olmec culture. It was found in the hills of Oaxaca, Mexico by George Kunz in 1890. The axe appears to be dating around 800-500 BC, which is part of the Middle Formative period. Although this artifact is considered an axe, it does not mean that this was its function. The votive axe appears more of a sculpture and it is “more likely that it was used in ritual settings” (Milner Library, n.d.). The material that was used to made this artifact is jade. Because the artifact was made out of jade, it is believed that it was “reserved for the adornment of gods and royalty” (The Met, n.d.). The Kunz Axe has a blue green color and it is about eleven inches high. It appears to depict a human with
The Ottomans and Spanish built flourishing empires based on different philosophies from 1450 to 1800. The Ottoman and Spanish were two powerful empires during that time. During the building of the two empires, the Spanish and the Ottoman both developed similarities in their social, political, and economic structures. The Ottoman took control of Europe, while the Spanish saw it as easy to monitor new lands. The different tactics employed made the both empires flourish. For instance, the Spanish were not tolerant of religion. They conquered other areas with the aim of converting Christians to Islam, if they refused, they would be killed. On the other hand, the Ottoman leaders incorporated leaders of diverse culture
Ibn Munqidh, Usama. "From Memoirs." McNeill, William and Marilyn Robinson Waldman. The Islamic World. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1973. 184-206.
Springfield, IL: Charles Thomas Publishers, 2009. Print. Necipoglu, Gulru. Muqarnas, Vol 25: Frontiers of Islamic Art and Architecture.
Science sees itself implemented in two distinct yet intertwined ways in society. Natural philosophy is science for understanding of nature, where as instrumentality is employing the practicality of science and mastery over matter for the benefit of society. The Islamic Empire saw itself at frontline of science for around 500 years. The science of the Islamic Empire was characterized by both the employment of the practicality of knowledge from translating the texts of other societies along with advancements in natural philosophy.
Sword making reached its peak of skill by the 14th century. Working solely with a forge,
During the nineteenth century there was a vast amount of blood and trade between southerners and the Yir Yoront. At the heart of all the blood and trade rose the steel axe. This single piece of equipment played a vital role in the society of the Yir Yoront. This item became more and more used by the Yir Yoront for wide array of reasons.
In this day, they only way people knew how to spread religion was by violence, and though the Moors were rather gentle with the overthrowing of the Visigoth army and the conquering of Spain, this violence eventually led to Spain becoming one of the most prosperous countries of 2nd millennium Europe.
The Italian Renaissance is appropriately known as a period of such dynamic change within cultural innovations amongst European civilization that it is seen as a major turning point in European history. This age of rebirth abnormally broke the bonds of earlier cultural restraint and unleashed an outbreak of innovations that would forever change the course of history. Despite the common misunderstanding of the Italian Renaissance being a period of originality or of a reawakening of older cultures, it generated fundamental modernizations that accelerated growth in a vast number of forever impacting ways. Lasting from about 1350-1550, this age of modernized technology conveyed a sense of distinctive themes in art, which globalized the unification of a diverse culture. Within the Italian Renaissance, artistic innovations accelerated a new and centralized life and culture in Western European history.
Mathematics in Islamic Civilization - Dr. Ragheb Elsergany - Islam Story. (n.d.). Islam Story - Supervised by Dr. Ragheb Elsergany. Retrieved April 26, 2011, from http://en.islamstory.com/mathematics-islamic-civilization.html
This documentary touches on every aspect of what life was like in Islamic Spain and the significance of the events that occurred there. In the fifth century, Barbarians collapsed the Roman Empire and Europe entered the Dark Ages. Around this time the Visigoths expanded their empire by heading for Spain. Upon arriving in Spain, the Visigoths encountered Jews whom they treated somewhat gently until the Visigoths converted to Catholicism; the Visigoths then overran Jews. Soon after, Muslims from North Africa known as Berbers decided to invade the Iberian Peninsula in hopes to take control of Spain and expand the Muslim reign, which they did.
Qurbani, Abu al-Qasim. Zindagi namah-i riyazidanan-i dawrah-i Islami az sadah-i sivvum ta sadah-i yazdahum-i Hijri. 1st ed. Tehran: Nashr-e-Markaz-i-Daneshgahi, 1997. Pg. 563. Print.
...or spreading Islam. Advancements in Science and Math helped Islam to move faster. Islam was uniquely successful to attract people towards it where bloodshed was rarely required.
The Renaissance started in Italy during the 1300’s before spreading throughout Europe in the 1500 and 1600’s. It came about because of a change in the way of thinking. In an effort to learn, people began to want to understand the world around them. This study of the world and how it works was the start of a new age of science. “The people were curious and questioned the known wisdom of the church. They began to use experimentation and observation to solve worldly problems”. (Johnson). Many Renaissance intellects focused on trying to define and understand the laws of nature and the physical world. During the Renaissance, great advances occurred in science and technology as well as others areas.
During a time period from approximately 1375 to 1527, an event known as the Renaissance took place in Europe. This was the establishment of an entirely new way of life; there was a vast rebirth of knowledge and arts which changed Europe completely. Due to events such as the rediscovery of classical works, the Black Death, the invention of the printing press, and the development of humanism, the Renaissance greatly influenced Europe on many levels. Europe gained more wealth, which led to the progression of a new focus on art and learning. From a political perspective, the Renaissance created a division and a competitive nature between the European countries, along with the formation and expansion of the mercantile system.