Early Islamic Civilisations 

Centre of learning

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The time from the mid-seventh century to the mid-thirteenth century is known as the Golden Age of Islam. The Muslim Empire was one of the largest in the world, and together with China, it led the way in scientific discovery and achievement. At the library in the House of Wisdom, scholars, both Muslim and non-Muslim, translated classical works into Arabic. This meant that works that may have otherwise been lost and forgotten were brought from all over the world; works from Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome, China, India, North Africa and Ancient Greece were translated first into Arabic, and from there into other languages.

 

The art of making paper had been learnt from Chinese prisoners in ad 751 and soon spread throughout the empire, before eventually heading to Europe in the thirteenth century. The libraries they set up were the first to show similarities with their modern equivalents: works were arranged by category; material could be loaned out; and the libraries became public places. Although the area was under Muslim control and displayed Islamic values, there was religious freedom and this encouraged great thinkers from Jewish, Christian and other faiths to visit and contribute to this great period of creativity. The Silk Road saw travellers, traders and merchants going from the Far East to Europe, and Baghdad became the centre for learning, new inventions, new ideas and goods travelling to and from along the great road.