Islamic Civilization & Culture

Trade

Trade flourished during the Abbasid dynasty.

The Arab Empire traded with China, Byzantine Empire, India, and SE Asia by ship and caravan.

Trading included gold and silver, porcelain, ivory, spices, linens and textiles, and slaves.

Cities

Large cities in the Arab Empire were grand and included Baghdad, Damascus, Cordoba.

Outside of the major ones, Arab cities were simple and served as stopping points for trade.

Most impressive buildings were palaces for caliphs and mosques for worship.

Bazaars, or marketplaces, were an important part of every Arab city.

Farming

Arab Empire was more urbanized than a lot of the world, but a majority of the people still lived in the country.

Early in the empire, the majority of land was owned by independent farmers.

Later, wealthy landowners amassed large estates.

Social Structure

Fairly well-defined upper class consisting of ruling families, officials, nomadic elites.

Some merchants enjoyed a degree of respect not seen in Europe, China, or India.

Slavery was widespread, most from Africa or non-Islamic populations.

Slaves served in the army, farms, and as domestic servants (especially women).

Role of Women

Quran granted women spiritual and social equality with men.

Women had the right to the fruits of their labor, and could inherit land.

Every woman had a male guardian.

Marriages were arranged by parents.

Muslim men could have more than one wife, but no more than four.

The custom of women covering their bodies owed more to traditional Arab practices.