Historical Research: Baghdad and House of Wisdom in Context

This report explores the historical significance of Baghdad and the House of Wisdom, alongside a brief comparison with Damascus. The assignment begins by examining the importance of Damascus, referencing its historical context, and cultural significance. It then delves into the House of Wisdom, highlighting its role as a center of knowledge and intellectual discourse during its time, the translation of Aristotle's work and the diversity of languages and people that it fostered. The report underscores the importance of these locations as centers for the preservation and advancement of knowledge within the context of Islamic civilization. The report references works by Jim Al-Khalili and Nasser O. Rabbat.

Running Head: RESEARCH ON THE CITY OF BAGHDAD AND THE HOUSE OF
WISDOM
Research on the city of Baghdad and the House of Wisdom
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1
RESEARCH ON THE CITY OF BAGHDAD AND THE HOUSE OF WISDOM
Answer to Question 1
On visiting Damascus in 1867, Mark Twain had written “To Damascus, years are only
moments, decades are only flitting trifles of times. She measures time not by days and months
and years, but by empires. She has seen the rise and prosper and crumble to ruin. She is a type of
immortality (O. Rabbat).” Arabic Dimashq, the capital city of Syria, that has been known as
“pearl of the East”, and received praise for its beauty from al-Maqdisi who was a traveller and
geographer in the 10th century and has categorized the city as one of the four earthly paradises.
Popular stories reveal that the Prophet Muhammad had refused to set his foot in the city during
his journey to Syria as he claimed that man should enter paradise only once. One of the major
significance of Damascus is, ever since Islam was conceived as a religion, the road to pilgrimage
starts from the Darb al-Hajj al-Shāmī, the northern pilgrimage road that leads up to the holy
cities of Mecca and Medina (O. Rabbat).
It is evident Baghdad and Damascus has its own significance in terms of their essence,
history and culture. However, the present times have seen a lot of changes in the lifestyle of both
of these gem of cities, especially Damascus in the wake of civil war that has been ravaging Syria
for the past few years.
Answer to Question 2
The House of Wisdom (bayt alhikma بيت الحكمة) has been known to be the centre of
knowledge and of flourishing intellect (Al-Khalili).
1. It was built by Caliph Haround Al-Rasheed in the form of a lavish library which was
named as Khizanat al-Hikma (Library of Wisdom).

2
RESEARCH ON THE CITY OF BAGHDAD AND THE HOUSE OF WISDOM
2. The House of Wisdom was the place where translators, scientists, scribes, authors who
gathered on an everyday basis for translating, reading, writing, and discussing various
discourses.
3. Irrespective of gender, faith, and ethnicities, people gathered in order to discuss
philosophy, conceptual ideas, etc.
4. Languages such as Arabic, Farsi, Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and Syriac were used in order to
communicate, read, and write in the House of Wisdom.
5. Book of Animals (Kitab Al-Haywan) by Aristotle was translated by Youhanna bin Al-
Batriq Al-Turjuman (Al-Khalili).

3
RESEARCH ON THE CITY OF BAGHDAD AND THE HOUSE OF WISDOM
Work Cited
Al-Khalili, Jim. The house of wisdom: How Arabic science saved ancient knowledge and gave
us the Renaissance. Penguin, 2011.
O. Rabbat, Nasser. "Damascus | History, Map, Population, & Facts". Encyclopedia Britannica,
2020, https://www.britannica.com/place/Damascus.