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Iberian Cultures: The Mediterranean and Transatlantic Blueprint

Muslim's influence on Alchemy and Chemistry

Spain is the land of great cultural richness, once known as the Iberian peninsula at some point in history. It has been greatly influenced by muslims, not only in its language but in other areas as well such as alchemy that later modernized chemistry. Alchemy is an area where philosophy, science, occultism, and theology come together. With the newfound knowledge, scientists were able to develop this information and implement it to what we know today, chemistry. #Muslim

Alchemy has been around for thousands of years, it has influenced Spain in a multitude of ways scientifically. The transition of alchemy to chemistry during the 17th and 18th century shifted to a more credible field of scientific research. Muslims were the pioneers of modern chemistry, with the knowledge they possess they branched out and started discovering more complex ideas. In the main image, an older man, an alchemist, is in the midst of discovering the element phosphorus. From reading numerous books to putting it all together in a beaker, analyzing the complexity of the abstract form just creates space for credibility. Light sources were important to observe what you had in front of you, not only to plan and write down everything that you've observed but also to detect new information that is not visible to the naked eye in daylight.

Dating back to the early seventeenth and eighteenth century, alchemy and chemistry were at one point seen as interwoven. As time progressed, the union of disciplines began to unravel into two separate subjects. Alchemy has been considered to be more philosophical but considering the initial discovery was made by an alchemist, they started to experiment with their techniques and soon discovered the four elements; Fire, Water, Earth and Air. In this image you can see laboratory equipment that chemists use to experiment with liquids to create other substances and or reactions. Even though they share many similarities with each other, there are many factors that set them apart. Alchemy is mostly based on philosophical ideas compared to chemistry that is based on experiments, observations and facts. Having a strong foundation, chemistry has been able to further advance everything in our life such as the clothing we wear (made of matter), the food we eat, the technology we use but most importantly chemists have been able to create medicine that is being used to save lives.

The influence alchemy has had on chemistry has created what we see today. The objects around us are all made of solid matter that is made of atoms and molecules and so forth. Starting from spiritual alchemy, a metaphor for transforming metals into gold to reach enlightenment to Chemistry that has a greater emphasis on rational thoughts and experimentation. Muslims influence opened up doors for people to use their creativity and knowledge to further advance us into a more advanced world. The images above all share one thing in common, the dedication for science.

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1. Muslim's influence on Alchemy and Chemistry Spain is the land of great cultural richness, once known as the Iberian peninsula at some point in history. It has been greatly influenced by muslims, not only in its language but in other areas as well such as alchemy that later modernized chemistry. Alchemy is an area where philosophy, science, occultism, and theology come together. With the newfound knowledge, scientists were able to develop this information and implement it to what we know today, chemistry. #Muslim
2. Don Quixote: Reality versus Fantasy
3. Convivencia Throughout all of Spain's history there have been multiple cultures/religious groups that inhabited their land simultaneously. Between 700-1492 there were three religious groups that occupied one space in Spain, Al-andalus. These groups were Chirstians, Muslim, and Catholics. On this page, I will talk about how it was to live with different cultural/religious groups in that time. #Muslim, #Architecture
4. Early Modern Spain 1492 to 1567: The Debate Over Moriscos and The Expulsion In 1942 King Ferdinand and Isabella granted liberal terms to the Moors upon their surrender in Granada. Seven years later, in 1499 Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros lobbied against this policy and pushed an agenda of zero tolerance towards Islamic practices of any kind in Granada. The Treaty of Granada was not honored, and conflict began to arise. #Hybridity #Muslim #Christian #Jewish #Architecture #Artifact #Monarchy #Moorish
5. Moorish Influences in Art, Architecture and Language in the Modern World
6. Christianity as a Power Not Religion in the Spanish Inquisition The forceful conversion of non-Christians in Spain during the Spanish Inquisition, brings out the ways in which religion can serve as a cover-up for ulterior motives. Spain used Christianity to consolidate power and create a social hierarchy between Old and New Christians. People of non-Christian origins were considered inferior even if they had converted to Christianity. Spain through Christianity, was able to justify taking away rights, erasure of traditions, and prohibiting language. #Muslim #Christian #Moorish #Monarchy
7. The Co-existence of Religions and Cultures during Moorish Presence and Moorish impact on Architecture From 711 CE to 1492, Muslims, known as Moors, invaded the Iberian peninsula, conquering and controlling varying portions of Iberia. The Moors' ruling extended over eight hundred years, significantly impacting the Iberian culture. In this brief presentation, the Muslim’s imposition of tolerance towards other religions will be discussed regarding its influence of allowing an environment of co-existence of cultures and religions. Moreover, the Moorish influence on architecture will also be discussed with examples of different historical buildings. #Muslim, #Hybridity
8. Reconquista- Vision of the Christian Kingdoms
9. Roman Spain Manifested in Art and Architecture The Roman Empire's era of rule over the Iberian peninsula from about 200 BCE to around 470 AD left an undeniable mark on Spanish legacy and history, beginning a period of "Romanization" that encompassed several aspects of life, including the art and architecture of this region. Much of the artistic styling and architectural features of Roman rule are still visible in contemporary times, and underwent a revitalization during the Romanesque era of the Medieval ages, demonstrating the tremendous and lasting impact that the empire had on Spain. #Roman , #Architecture , #Painting
10. The Coins that Change-d Spain's History and Keep it Alive
11. Islamic Architecture has influenced Art around the world Islamic influene in Architecture has been very popular throught years. Architecture is very important because it is what builts up where soceity will inhabit. The Moorish population has a great influence to what Architecture is today. We still see how buldings all over the nations have adopted what Muslims felt was artistic to incorparate into buildings. Modern Architects still study the historical content of the moorish archistructure. #Moorish, #Architecture, #Art

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