In This SAS Curriculum Pathways Interactivity You Will View

In This Sas Curriculum Pathways Interactivity You Will View Four Shor

In this SAS Curriculum Pathways Interactivity, you will view four short videos and read and analyze six short primary-source documents to collect information which will allow you to take a position and respond to the focus question: Which empire advanced Islamic civilization more, Umayyad or Abbasid? To begin, follow this link to InterActivity 1223. If prompted, enter "melody9off" in the Student User Name then click "log in" to begin. (quick launch #1223). As you proceed through the material, you will be instructed to complete a document analysis by identifying passages that support a position. Please be thorough in selecting your passages and in writing your brief analyses of the passages. Always write in complete sentences.

When you reach the end, save your document to submit here.

Paper For Above instruction

The Islamic civilization experienced significant developmental phases during the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties, each contributing uniquely to the growth of cultural, scientific, and political achievements. Analyzing primary-source documents and visual materials from these periods reveals differing focuses and advancements, thus enabling a comprehensive comparison to determine which empire better advanced Islamic civilization.

Introduction

The question of which empire, the Umayyad or the Abbasid, most advanced Islamic civilization is complex. Both dynasties left profound legacies, but their approaches towards governance, culture, and scientific innovation diverged significantly. The Umayyads, ruling from 661 to 750 CE, established expansive territorial control and centralized political authority. Meanwhile, the Abbasids, from 750 to 1258 CE, fostered a golden age of cultural and scientific development centered around Baghdad. Examining the primary sources from both eras will illuminate their respective contributions and limitations.

The Umayyad Dynasty's Contributions and Limitations

The Umayyad caliphate is often characterized by its territorial expansion, with control extending across North Africa, Spain, and the Middle East. Their architectural achievements, such as the Dome of the Rock, demonstrated an aesthetic and religious symbolism that unified the diverse empire. Primary documents from this period highlight their administrative strategies; for example, their emphasis on Arabic as the administrative language promoted a standardized cultural identity (Hodgson, 2009). However, some sources suggest that the Umayyads' focus on expansion and centralization often alienated non-Arab Muslims, leading to social discord and resistance (Lapidus, 2014). These internal challenges somewhat limited the long-term cultural and scientific advancements during their rule.

The Abbasid Dynasty's Contributions and Limitations

The Abbasid caliphate, which overthrew the Umayyads and reigned from 750 to 1258 CE, is renowned for fostering a flourishing of knowledge and culture often termed the Islamic Golden Age. Their capital, Baghdad, became a hub for scientific innovation, translation, and philosophy. Primary-source texts from this era emphasize the establishment of institutions like the House of Wisdom, which facilitated the translation of Greek and Persian scientific works into Arabic (Gutas, 2001). The Abbasids promoted scholarship in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and literature, leading to numerous innovations that influenced both Islamic and European civilizations (Saliba, 2014). Nevertheless, internal political struggles, economic challenges, and the eventual Mongol invasion curtailed their dominance, limiting their long-term influence (Kennedy, 2004). Despite this decline, their achievements laid a foundation for later developments in science and culture.

Comparative Analysis

When contrasting the two empires, it becomes evident that the Umayyad dynasty prioritized territorial expansion and political unity but did not emphasize scientific and cultural pursuits. In contrast, the Abbasid dynasty, although less focused on territorial conquest, prioritized intellectual pursuits and cultural flourishing. Primary sources demonstrate that the Abbasids' investments in education and knowledge transfer had a longer-lasting impact on global civilization. The scientific advancements achieved under the Abbasids influenced later European Renaissance developments, evidencing a higher degree of contribution to overall civilization (Gutas, 2001; Saliba, 2014).

Furthermore, the social and political structures of the Abbasids promoted inclusivity of various ethnic groups within their intellectual community, fostering diverse scholarly perspectives. Conversely, the Umayyads' aristocratic approach sometimes marginalized non-Arab Muslims, affecting social cohesion (Lapidus, 2014). Therefore, from the perspective of advancing civilization—through innovation, scholarship, and cultural integration—the Abbasids arguably made more significant contributions.

Conclusion

In summary, while the Umayyad dynasty laid essential groundwork through territorial expansion and architectural achievements, the Abbasid dynasty advanced Islamic civilization more profoundly by fostering a period of remarkable scientific, cultural, and intellectual development. Primary-source documents from both periods corroborate that the Abbasids' emphasis on knowledge and cultural integration cultivated a lasting legacy that influenced subsequent generations worldwide. Assessing these contributions suggests that the Abbasid empire was more instrumental in advancing Islamic civilization during its golden age.

References

• Gutas, D. (2001). Greek Thought, Arabic Culture: The Transmission, Transformation, and Reduction of Greek Philosophy in the Medieval Islamic World. Routledge.
• Hodgson, M. G. S. (2009). The Venture of Islam: Conscience and History in a World Civilization. University of Chicago Press.
• Kennedy, H. (2004). The Great Arab Conquests: How the Spread of Islam Changed the World. Da Capo Press.
• Lapidus, I. M. (2014). A History of Islamic Societies. Cambridge University Press.
• Saliba, G. (2014). Islamic Science and the Making of the European Renaissance. MIT Press.