Science and translation in the first Abbasid period (132-232 A H.)

Abstract

Following the termination of the Umayyad Caliphate by the Abbasid dynasty, Who established their own caliphate, they simultaneously constructed a new capital city called Baghdad, where within a short period of time, the capital became a center for both scientific and translational attentions.

The first Abbasid era is considered as a phase of strength, expansion, and golden Abbasid period. This was due to a group of characteristics and features as development and progression in most political, economic and cultural fields. Additionally, the caliphate was meanwhile ruled by the caliphs who were considered the strongest Abbasid caliphs.

As a result of the Abbasid caliphate borders expansions, cultural and intellectual admixtures, presence of several literate and science-loving caliphs and ministers had led to establish some academic and cultural centers specific to both science and translations. This aimed to become a starting point for building a great civilization in the islamic and world history. Recognizing the worth of translations and sciences in the field of history, geography, philosophy, medicine chemistry, astronomy...etc. by some Abbasid Caliphs resulted in the production of several inventions and novel sciences in the history of mankind.

After the extensive hard-working of Abbasids in  particularly translating in the fields of philosophy and medicine from Greek, Syriani and Indian languages to Arabic language, the Arabic civilization had become one of the most prosperous civilizations in the world; this was due to the huge amount of the available knowledge and science, several inventions was made. Meanwhile and during the emergence of the European Renaissance period, the science-lovers directed themselves toward and benefitted from the translation of the philosophic and scientific books written by the islamic scholars. This had become the enhancement of developing the European civilization.