New
New
Sicily and other Islamic worlds in the 11th century
I can describe what Islamic Sicily was like in the 11th century and explain what made it different from other Islamic worlds.
Lesson 3 of 3
New
New
- Year 7
Sicily and other Islamic worlds in the 11th century
I can describe what Islamic Sicily was like in the 11th century and explain what made it different from other Islamic worlds.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Sicily had become a Muslim province in the 9th century.
- Mediterranean trade was most important for Sicily.
- Sicily was conquered by the Normans during the 11th century.
- There were profound differences between Sicily, Cordoba and Baghdad.
Keywords
Province - a province is an area of a state which is not the capital city and may be considered less important
Emir - an emir is a type of leader in some Muslim countries
Diverse - a place is diverse if it includes many different types of people
Common misconception
As a Muslim island, there was little diversity in 11th century Sicily.
Sicily was amongst the most diverse places in Eurasia during the 11th century with a population of Muslims, Christians and Jews.
At the beginning of learning cycle 3, students may benefit from a recall exercise based on prior learning about Baghdad and Cordoba. Share the areas for comparison with students and ask them to mind-map relevant details they can remember for both.
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Write the missing word. A is an Islamic state, especially one ruled by a single religious and political leader.
Write the missing word. A is an Islamic state, especially one ruled by a single religious and political leader.
Q2.Which of the following groups ruled over a caliphate in the 11th century?
Which of the following groups ruled over a caliphate in the 11th century?
Byzantines
Greeks
Romans
Q3.Which statement is most accurate about Cordoba's participation in the slave trade?
Which statement is most accurate about Cordoba's participation in the slave trade?
Cordoba traded enslaved people but did not own them.
Cordoba owned enslaved people but did not trade them.
Cordoba outlawed owning and trading enslaved people.
Q4.Which area did not have any Muslim rulers in the 11th century?
Which area did not have any Muslim rulers in the 11th century?
Central Asia
Middle East
North Africa
Western Europe
Q5.Which statement about the books held in Cordoba's royal library is accurate?
Which statement about the books held in Cordoba's royal library is accurate?
The books were only focused on Islam.
There were not many books held in the library.
The books were rarely used by scholars.
Q6.Identify the accurate difference between Cordoba and Baghdad.
Identify the accurate difference between Cordoba and Baghdad.
Cordoba was a Muslim city, whereas Baghdad was Christian.
Cordoba was not involved in a lot of trade, but Baghdad was.
Cordoba attracted scholars from many areas, whereas few studied in Baghdad.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match-up each keyword with its correct defintion.
Match-up each keyword with its correct defintion.
Q2.Write the missing word. Sicily is located in the Sea.
Write the missing word. Sicily is located in the Sea.
Q3.Which statement about the markets in 11th century Sicily is most accurate?
Which statement about the markets in 11th century Sicily is most accurate?
Sicily's markets were the most expensive in the Mediterranean.
Sicily's markets were the least expensive in the Mediterranean.
Sicily's markets only sold goods produced in Sicily.
Q4.Which group had conquered Sicily by 1091?
Which group had conquered Sicily by 1091?
Abbasids
Seljuk Turks
Vikings
Q5.Identify the accurate similarity between 11th century Baghdad and Sicily.
Identify the accurate similarity between 11th century Baghdad and Sicily.
They were home to the world's largest universities.
They were led by emirs who lived there.
Q6.Identify the accurate difference between 11th century Baghdad and Sicily.
Identify the accurate difference between 11th century Baghdad and Sicily.
both had a large population of Jews and Christians as well as Muslims
both traded with North Africa and Europe
