II. The Intermediate Civilization/The Hellenic Heritage In Islam

This chapter deals with the Islamic world as it was approximately between 850 and 1250 A.D. Hellenism was to classical Greece what contemporary world civilization is to Western Culture, as it developed between 1500-1900. Hellenism found a refuge precisely in the civilization and the language which had replaced Greek and Greek culture in most countries which they had dominated for centuries. The theory of Muslim mysticism was largely nourished by Greek thought, in particular, Neo-Platonism. Hellenistic influence prevailed strongly in many other aspects of civilization. It is sufficient to mention architecture and the techniques of building, arts and crafts, alchemy, law, administration, and coinage. In some respects, one should say, the Intermediate Civilization has surpassed its masters, the ancient Greeks and Romans. The chapter emphasizes that the fate of the Greek heritage in Islam, its quality and duration, are not without concern and significance in own day.Keywords: Greek culture; hellenic heritage; intermediate civilization; islam