Baghdad's connection to the medieval world
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the different ways in which Baghdad was connected to the wider medieval world.
Key learning points
- Baghdad, and the wider Islamic world, was connected to both Asia and Europe by trade, communication and ideas.
- Baghdad was built on the Abbasids’ wealth from the Silk Road and added to it through trade from East to West.
- Baghdad was connected to the historic Greek and Persian dominance of the region through science and architecture.
- The Caliph’s sponsorship of the sciences and the arts meant that Baghdad both imported and exported classical knowledge.
- Baghdad’s House of Wisdom and its universities made it a centre of scientific discovery and engineering prowess.
Keywords
Medieval - medieval refers to the Middle Ages, a period in history that lasted from about 500 to 1500 CE
Sponsorship - sponsorship is when someone supports an event, activity or person, usually by giving money
Classical - classical refers to knowledge, ideas, art, literature, and cultural achievements from ancient Greece and Rome
Engineering - engineering is the use of science and maths to solve problems and build things
Common misconception
Baghdad, especially during the Abbasid Caliphate, was an isolated or insular city.
Baghdad was a major hub of trade, communication, and intellectual exchange, connecting the Islamic world with both Asia and Europe.
Teacher tip
What universities are in your area? Look at the courses they have to offer, for example, in engineering, mathematics and the arts. Much of what is taught at university today has its foundation in the intellectual achievements and advancements that occurred in Baghdad during the medieval period.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1. was the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate.
Q2.Who was Charlemagne?
Q3.What was the Silk Road?
Q4.Match the word to its explanation.
part of Al-Andalus
the founder and first ruler of the Emirate of Córdoba
a ruler of an emirate
Q5.What was the House of Wisdom?
Q6.Who was Galen?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.During the Caliphate, Baghdad became a thriving city that connected the East and West.
Q2.The period in history that lasted from about 500 to 1500 CE is known as the period.
Q3.The Road connected Baghdad, and the wider Islamic world, to both Asia and Europe.
Q4.Scholars in Baghdad translated texts from languages like Greek, Latin and Persian into Arabic.
Q5.Name two ways in which the Abbasid Caliphate became wealthy.
Q6.Why did scholars go to Baghdad to translate classical texts?
To help you plan your 5 history lesson on: Baghdad's connection to the medieval world, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 history lesson on: Baghdad's connection to the medieval world, 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: what connected Baghdad to the wider world? unit, dive into the full primary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.