The New Childrens Encyclopedia

622–632 MUHAMMAD 661–750 UMAY YAD

TIMELINE OF ISLAMIC EMPIRE

Muhammad took

control of Mecca

and established

the Islamic

civilization.

Baghdad was made the

Islamic capital and

the city became the

world’s center of trade,

learning, and culture.

The caliphs of the

Umayyad family

expanded the

Islamic Empire

(shown in green).

750–1258 ABBASID

Islamic golden age

In the 7th century, Muhammad established the Islamic

state in the Arabian Peninsula. In the centuries after his

death, the Islamic empire expanded rapidly, spreading

the faith and laws of Islam based on his teachings.

MECCA

Muhammad was born in Mecca (now in Saudi

Arabia). After being forced out of the city due to

his teachings, he returned eight years later with

his army to take control and establish the city as

the center of the faith of Islam.

TAKE A LOOK: ISLAMIC ARTIFACTS

u ISLAMIC ART

Calligraphy and mosaics

of glazed tiles were used

to decorate buildings.

u ASTROLABE They

perfected this instrument for

calculating a person’s position

by using the Sun and stars.

u OTTOMAN VASE

Flowers and large leaves

were widely used as

decorative patterns.

The Islamic civilization had a distinctive

style in art, crafts, and architecture, and

made great advances in mathematics,

astronomy, and medicines.

HISTORY AND POLITICS ,^ PROPHET OF ISLAM At the age
of 40, Muhammad had the first of
many revelations about the word of
God. His teachings were to become
intertwined with the politics and social
aspects of an Islamic state. His name is
shown here in stylized form.

TELL ME MORE...

In 661, the Muslims divided

over who to choose as the next

religious leader. The Shiites

accepted the descendants of

Ali (Muhammad’s son-in-law),

known as Imams, while the

Sunnites chose the descendants

of the Umayyads, titled Caliphs.

196

AFRICA ■ Mecca

EUROPE

■ Baghdad

Silver and copper basin