The Expansion of the Islamic Empire

What similarities and differences do you notice between the Roman and Islamic Empires?

Islamic Empire

Roman Empire

Historical Investigation: How Did the Islamic Empire Expand?
Remember that Prophet Muhammad started Islam on the Arabian Peninsula in the areas around Medina and Mecca.
Now, you will analyze three sources to find evidence about how the Islamic Empire expanded.  You will record your evidence and complete a quickwrite using the graphic organizer.

Before you begin your analysis, think back to the Roman Empire and how it expanded. 

The Golden Age of Islam

Technological Innovations during the Golden Age of Islam


During the Islamic Empire, much of the world was going through a violent and destructive period that some historians have called the Dark Ages. However, during this same period, the Muslims were experiencing a Golden Age of scientific discovery. As you view the video on Islamic inventions, take notes on The Golden Age of Islam document in your Google folder.

Medicine in the Islamic Empire

1. Go to Edpuzzle and view the assigned video "Medicine in the Islamic Empire."
2. Read and summarize the article "Hospitals" in your classroom folder.

Literary Achievements of the Golden Age

The Golden Age of Islam also produced some of the world's best-loved stories and folktales. The Thousand and One Nights is a collection of folktales from throughout the Islamic Empire.  Many of these tales are still enjoyed by children all over the world. Some of the stories have been made into movies. Here is a clip from the classic movie "The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad." 



A more modern animated clip:

Group Leaders Only: Please make a copy and share "can edit" with your group members and the teacher. Read your assigned voyage. Complete your section of the chart. You will find the stories here.

Simbad el Marinero en espanol

Mathematics in the Islamic Empire
View: Origins of Algebra