Exam 10: The Islamic World

The design of Islamic Korans has parallels in ____.

Which of the following is built over the place from which Muhammad began his miraculous journey to heaven?

In the 10th century, Caliph al-Hakam II undertook major renovations of the Great Mosque at Córdoba in imitation of his ____ predecessors in Jerusalem and Damascus.

How does the Great Mosque of Damascus owe much to Roman and early Christian architecture?

In the mid-13th century, the Mongols conquered much of the eastern Islamic world. The center of Islamic power moved from Baghdad to Egypt. The lords of Egypt at that time were Mamluks. The definition of the word Mamluk translates to ____?

An ancient Arab proverb proclaims "Purity of writing, is purity of soul" and describes which of the following?

Compare and contrast the Great Mosque in Córdoba with the Great Mosque in Isfahan. What are the stylistic differences, and how does each mosque reflect its period?

The Abbasids overthrew the Umayyad caliphs and established a new capital at ____.

The supposed precursor of the hypostyle designed mosques, such as Kairouan, is ____.

The practice of ____ was considered a holy task and required arduous training.

Discuss the effects the religious beliefs and practices of Islam had on the art of the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Use examples to support your essay.

The ____ is the leader of collective worship who preaches from the minbar.

The ____ was the greatest achievement of the court architect, Suleyman the Magnificent.

Critical of the polytheistic religion of his fellow Arabs, Muhammad had all the idols destroyed, but he preserved the Kaaba. Which of the following supports the reason for this preservation?

Briefly describe the Abbasid contributions to Islamic culture.

The structural foundation of the Great Mosque of Damascus used a ____ as its foundation.

The vault in the Hall of the Abencerrajes is meant to symbolize ____.

Evaluate the work of Sinan. Consider his training and what effect, if any, this had on his work. Include his knowledge of the Christian West and its artists and architects, as well as his knowledge of Byzantium. Use examples to support your essay.

Describe muqarnas decoration.

Compare and contrast the mausoleum of the Samanids in Bukhara and the madrasa-mausoleum complex of Sultan Hasan. How does each structure reflect not only its period but also its culture? Include in your essay the political overtones as well as any other artistic influences. Use examples to support your essay.