• Caravanserais were protected trading stations built by Sultans to protect traders and their goods from thieves. • Bazaars and coffee houses were important social and political hubs. 4.7 What was the Ottoman contribution to art, architecture and literature? • While most of Europe was focused on political and military struggles during the Middle Ages, the Ottoman Empire continued to be a centre of learning and advancement. • Many of the later advances in European philosophy and science either occurred because the Ottomans collected and translated the works of the ancients or were based on advances made by the Islamic people. • A common feature of Ottoman architecture, geometric design with circles, squares and pentagons are repeated in carefully arranged sequences. • The Ottomans kept their Turkish language for day-to-day use but used Arabic script for writing. Their literature was, therefore, influenced by their traditional Turkish language, the Arabic language of Islam and the Persian language of neighbouring regions. • The influence of the Ottoman Empire is responsible for the presence and popularity of Islam in modern society. 4.8 Inquiry: Collaborative research
• Several aspects of Ottoman culture still exist in contemporary society. • Collaborative research can be used to determine and discuss history. 4.9.2 Key terms
autonomy the ability to self-govern beylik a small territory in Anatolia caliph in Islamic countries, the chief civil and religious ruler and a successor to the Prophet Mohammed dowry a payment of money or goods as part of a marriage agreement harem the women in a Muslim household, including the mother, sisters, wives, concubines, daughters, entertainers and servants
revelation a communication or message from God sultan the king or sovereign of an Islamic country
4.9.3 Reflection Complete the following to reflect on your learning.
Revisit the inquiry question posed in the Overview: How did the Ottoman Empire become one of history’s most powerful and diverse societies? 1. Now that you have completed this topic, what is your view on the question? Discuss with a partner. Has your learning in this topic changed your view? If so, how? 2. Write a paragraph in response to the inquiry question, outlining your views.
Jacaranda Humanities Alive 8 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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