Exploring Concepts

1. True. The Umayyads expanded the empire and were dedicated Muslims, so

religion was important to them.

2. False. The Umayyads prosecuted Jews and Christians who disagreed with the

church of their rulers.

3. True. The Umayyads lost half of their empire to the Abbasids around 750.

4. True. The Abbasids’ great wealth enabled them to support arts and

learning. Under Abbasid rule, a period of great achievements in art and

learning. The Muslims learned numerous new crafts during this period, and

more people became literate.

5. False. The Abbasids used their wealth wisely on art and education. Under

their rule, arts and learning flourished in a period of great achievement.

This did not at all contribute to the downfall of the Abbasids.

6. False. Both Baghdad and Cordoba were major trade centers in the Middle

Ages. They thrived culturally, and were both major government capitols.

7. False. The Muslims had many schools where they taught people their

culture and religion. Education was a large part of Muslim culture.

8. False. In Islamic Spain and the Abbasid Empire, religion united most of

the population.