Baghdad, the ‘City of Peace'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the founding of the city of Baghdad.
Key learning points
- The Abbasid Caliphate overthrew the Umayyad Caliphate in 750 CE and ruled land from Tunis to Multan.
- Baghdad was founded in 762 CE by caliph Al-Mansur to become the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate.
- Built by 100,000 workers to show off Abbasid wealth and power, it became the richest, most populous city in the world.
- It was built on the fertile banks of the River Tigris in the Mesopotamia valley.
- Baghdad had a circular layout and many public facilities like parks, hospitals, and libraries.
Keywords
Abbasid - an Abbasid was a member of the third dynasty of caliphs that ruled the Islamic Empire after Muhammad (PBUH)
Al-Mansur - Al-Mansur was the second caliph of the Abbasid caliphate
Populous - a populous city or place has a large number of people living there
Public facilities - public facilities are spaces, equipment and services that can be used by anyone in the community
Common misconception
Baghdad was a place of unrest.
Baghdad was a wealthy and populous city, often referred to as the City of Peace.
Teacher tip
Ask children to imagine a city with bustling marketplaces, colourful stalls and merchants selling goods from across the known world. The markets would have been filled with the sights of vibrant textiles and smells of exotic spices.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A Muslim leader and ruler of a caliphate is known as a ...
Q2.The first caliphate after the death of Muhammad (PBUH) was the __________ Caliphate.
Q3.The __________ refers to a network of ancient trade routes between China and Europe
Q4.Why was the Silk Road important to the Umayyad Caliphate?
Q5.In which city was the Umayyad Caliphate based?
Q6.Match the place to its description.
holiest city according to Muslims
cube-shaped building and holiest site for Muslims
focus of the Hijra
'City of Peace'
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Al-Mansur was a caliph of the __________ Caliphate.
Q2.The capital city of the Abbasid Caliphate was ...
Q3.Which of the statements about caliph Al-Mansur are true?
Q4.Baghdad was built on the __________ River.
Q5.Which of the following statements about Baghdad are true?
Q6.Match the words about the founding of Baghdad to its matching statement.
hospitals, libraries and parks
the city is founded
the city's founder
To help you plan your 5 history lesson on: Baghdad, the ‘City of Peace', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 history lesson on: Baghdad, the ‘City of Peace', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 history lessons from the Early Islamic civilisation: how did Baghdad become the 'City of Peace'? unit, dive into the full primary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.