The Islamic World
- Episode aired Feb 16, 2005
YOUR RATING
Photos
Storyline
Featured review
Islamic Civilization in Europe's Middle Ages.
This is an entertaining and informative episode in a generally exceptional series.
Hart-Davis, our host and proxy, takes us through the particular inventions of the period, some of which are surprising. The Moslems were scholars and managed to copy (and save) most of the works of Ancient Greeks and Romans before they were destroyed by Europeans. The Europeans lived in a flat earth, while the Arab scientists were measuring its circumference and the tilt of its axis.
They also discovered surfactants -- long molecules that were water soluble on one end and bonded to oil on the other. In other words, soap and Old Dutch Cleanser. And they may have had a hand in the independent invention of gunpowder and its first use in battle.
But that's about what you'll get, a general history of Islamic science of the period, much of it explained by a slender and charming hostess, Amani Zain. Not much on political history or philosophy.
Hart-Davis, our host and proxy, takes us through the particular inventions of the period, some of which are surprising. The Moslems were scholars and managed to copy (and save) most of the works of Ancient Greeks and Romans before they were destroyed by Europeans. The Europeans lived in a flat earth, while the Arab scientists were measuring its circumference and the tilt of its axis.
They also discovered surfactants -- long molecules that were water soluble on one end and bonded to oil on the other. In other words, soap and Old Dutch Cleanser. And they may have had a hand in the independent invention of gunpowder and its first use in battle.
But that's about what you'll get, a general history of Islamic science of the period, much of it explained by a slender and charming hostess, Amani Zain. Not much on political history or philosophy.
helpful•00
- rmax304823
- Nov 13, 2015
Details
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
Top Gap
What is the broadcast (satellite or terrestrial TV) release date of The Islamic World (2005) in Australia?
Answer