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To: wideawake
Additionally, Islam was for a long time wealthier and more populous than Europe - but it was never more advanced technologically.

Not for long, but it did happen. (Western) Europe in 1000 had very little in the way of technology, having backslid tremendously since the days of Rome. At this time the Muslims were as advanced as any people on the planet. To be fair, they stole a lot of their technology from those they conquered, but they're hardly unique in that.

What almost no Americans realize is that for roughly 150 years (850 to 1000), (Western, Latin) Europe was shrinking. It was being invaded from three directions simultaneously, the Vikings from the North, the Magyars from the East, and the Muslims from the South.

A logical observer might have concluded that this was one civilization that was going down. What happened in reality is just about without parallel in history. A culture on its last legs somehow got the strength to revitalize its defenses and begin an expansion that has lasted till today, although we may be in at the death of that expansion.

By 1100 you would be correct. Western Europe had caught up to Islam in technology, to a considerable extent by borrowing Muslim technology, and has been forging ahead ever since. Meanwhile, Muslim innovation pretty much ceased and hasn't started up again in almost a millenium.

22 posted on 02/06/2006 6:25:04 AM PST by Restorer
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To: Restorer
Nice, succinct overview.

I'll ask you the question I have asked others: what technology did the Muslims possess between 850-1000 that Europeans did not?

Certain Muslims in Persia had access to better mathematical theory than Europeans during that period - but no practical technological innovations were created by Muslims with that theoretical advantage. Only Europeans demonctrated the ability to transform algebra into technological innovation.

I mean, what concrete devices or processes did the Muslims have that Europeans did not know of?

Muslims certainly had more of everything and easier access to things like silk and spice than Europeans did - but Muslims did not develop a single technological process or machine for use that Europeans did not already know.

24 posted on 02/06/2006 6:32:50 AM PST by wideawake
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