The Iberian peninsula, specifically Al-Andalus was known for its highly intelligent and educated people. Al-Andalus includes parts of the Iberian Peninsula that were taken over by the Muslims, including Malaga, Cordoba, and Granada. Muslims gained power over most of the peninsula within only a few years. Al-Andalus witnessed some of the most brilliant scientists of the world come up with incredible medical and astronomical work, that was not discovered elsewhere. Over the years Al-Andalus’ scientists such as Ibn Al-Samh and Ibn Al-Zarqalluh had many scientific discoveries including astronomical, medical, and mathematical works that have not only benefited Muslim society, but Europe as a whole.
Maslama of Madrid is the astronomer who founded all of the schools that taught astronomy in spain. “He was the chief of all mathematicians and astronomers” (Medieval Science, Technology, and Medicine: An Encyclopedia). Maslama created a treatise on the use of the astrolabe, he was the first to ever create a treatise on this. Maslama also created a summary of all of Al-Battani’s astronomical works, and changed all of Al-Khawarizmi’s persian dates to hijra dates. Maslama used the Indian mathematical system in his works.
One of the most famous of Andalusian scientists, Ibn Al-Samh was dedicated to the astronomical fields of science. Ibn Al-Samh has contributed a major instrument to the astronomical studies of Europe. “The equatorium, is another of Ibn Al-Samh’s great contributions to astronomy” (Medieval Science, Technology, and Medicine: An Encyclopedia). The equatorium was an astronomical instrument or tool used to calculate the positions of celestial bodies without actual calculation. This tool uses a geometrical model to represent the celestial bodies.
Ibn Al-Samh wrote two multiple books on general astronomical calculation. “Al Kitab Al Kafi…Kitab Thimar al’adad.. and Kitab Tabi’at Al-adad” (Medieval Science, Technology, and Medicine: An Encyclopedia). Ibn Al-Samh’s books consisted of geometrical works such as equations of spherical shapes, that have spread throughout Europe over the years. His books were valued, and they were translated into many other language including around the world.
Another very prominent astronomer was Ibn Al-Zarqalluh. Ibn Al-Zarqalluh worked in Toledo under the hand of a king, then moved to Cordoba. “Al-Zarqalluh started his career as an instrument maker who worked for the Toledan team of astronomers” (Medieval Science, Technology, and Medicine: An Encyclopedia). He created instruments that were then used by other astronomers. Ibn Al-Zarqalluh created the astrolabe. This instrument was a computer that could solve graphical problems that were related to spherical astronomy. He also made a replica of the same instrument, except a much simpler version for simpler problems. Ibn Al-Zarqalluh was not only an instrument maker, but he composed books. He composed an almanac of Greek computation work. This almanac was translated into Arabic, Latin, and in Alfonsine translation.
Al-Bitruji was a very important astronomer in Al-Andalus. Al-Bitruji worked closely with Jabber Ibn Aflah to create a system that could justify the velocity of celestial objects. “Al-Bitrūjīs astronomical system spread through much of Europe in the thirteenth century.….there were disputes between supporters of Ptolemy and Aristotelian defenders of al-Bitrūjī Albertus Magnus spread al-Bitrūjī’s ideas in simplified form, although he ultimately preferred the Ptolemaic system” (Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography). Ibn-Bitruji used the Ptolemaic system in his work. This was more like a theory than a system. The Ptolemaic system stated that the earth was the center of the universe, and that the planets orbit around the earth.
Medicine was another form of valued science that grew effectively in Al-Andalus. Many Hospitals opened up in Al-Andalus, and ever since then medicine was viewed with a great deal of importance. “The number of physicians of different religions working in the institutions of learning and serving as court physicians includes Jewish, Christian, and Indian physicians and researchers” (Howard R Turner). This shows how religious tolerance was even accomplished just for the sake of medicine.
One of many great Muslim physicians in Al-Andalus was Ibn Juljul. He worked in Cordoba, where he was born and raised. “He began learning medicine at the age of fourteen years with a group of Hellenists” (Medieval Science, Technology, and Medicine: An Encyclopedia). Ibn Juljul was interested in medicine long before he could work in a hospital, he began practicing his job at the age of fourteen. Ibn Juljul was one of the earliest of Andalusian physicians who wrote a book on the history of medicine. “He wrote a commentary on Dioscorides’ work of pharmacology De Materia Medica, and wrote Categories of Physicians” (Chaucer, Geoffrey). Ibn Juljul also composed a type of journal on the biographies of other physicians. This journal was called The Chronicle of Physicians and Wise Men. This chronicle became popular because it was used as a reference to other physicians’ experiences and mistakes. Many new physicians learned from this chronicle.
One of the most famous philosophers of Andalusian time was Ibn Bajja. Ibn Bajja mastered medicine, astronomy, biology, and mathematics. He developed a summary of Al-Razi’s book, a manual for pharmacy. “ Ibn Bajja wrote a treatise on the work of one of the most outstanding pharmacologists of eleventh century Al-Andalus” (Medieval Science, Technology, and Medicine: An Encyclopedia). This treatise consisted of information about the bodily organs and the preservation of health. Ibn Bajja decided to goober theoretical issues in his treatise, describing medicine as an art, which many sciences are involved with.
Ibn Buklarish was a jewish physician who somehow served in Al-Andalus. He composed a book similar to that of Ibn Bajja. Ibn Buklarish’s book, Kitab al-musta’ini was based on pharmacological issues. His book consists of a list of hundreds of pharmaceutical substances in alphabetical order and their benefits. Ibn Buklarish goes into depth about each substance. “As the intensity of the medicine’s effect (it’s grade) increases arithmetically, the ratio between the opposing qualities, which determines the effect of the medicine, increases geometrically” (Medieval Science, Technology, and Medicine: An Encyclopedia). Ibn Buklarish constructed a geometrical abstruse system for his treatise. The importance of this abstruse system is to aid a pharmacist in figuring out the degree of a substance or compound. His treatise was translated from Arabic into Greek, Latin, and many other languages.
Overall Muslim and Jewish physicians and doctors from Spain have heavily contributed to Europe’s medical knowledge and advancements. “Muslim medical science contributed knowledge of sedatives, the use of antiseptics to clean wounds, and use of sutures made of gut and silk thread to close wounds” (Chaucer, Geoffrey). Not only have Muslims contributed simple tactics and learnings, but have discovered the one most well known medical technique which is curing disease with drugs. That is the most well known and used technique in medical history, and thanks to the Muslims it has done so much for the human race.
Mathematics has always played a role in any of the successful works that have ever been created in Al Andalus, mathematic has always been the foundation. Mathematics is what lead to further discoveries in astronomy and medicine. One of the most famous mathematicians of all time came from Al Andalus, Al-Khawarizmi. Al-Khawarizmi was from Toledo, Spain where he constructed all of his works. Al-Khawarizmi constructed a book on elementary Algebra. “A compilation of rules, together with demonstrations, for finding solutions of linear and quadratic equations based on intuitive geometric arguments, rather than the abstract notation now associated with the subject. Its systematic, demonstrative approach distinguishes it from earlier treatments of the subject” (Encyclopedia Britannica). His book also included some basic geometry such as formulas for calculating the volumes of some figures, but it did include algebraic inheritance problems. In the 12th century Al-Khawarizmi constructed a second book on Hindu numerals, this book wasn't as popular as his first or third. His third book was named Kitab Surat Al-ard. This third book of his was filled with calculations of geographic places on this earth. He even measured the length of the Mediterranean sea. This book, just like his others were mainly translated into Latin.
Another incredibly famous Andalusian mathematician was Al-Battani. All of Al-Battani’s main works consisted of trigonometry. He used trigonometry to compile every single one of his astronomical works. Al-Battani “cataloged 489 stars… He refined the existing values for the length of the year, which he gave as 365 days 5 hours 46 minutes 24 seconds, and of the seasons… He calculated 54.5″ per year for the precession of the equinoxes and obtained the value of 23° 35′ for the inclination of the ecliptic” (Famous Scientists). Al-Battani completed this using only trigonometry.
Al-Zarqali was an Andalusian mathematician who's works will never be forgotten. Al-Zarqali worked in Cordoba, Spain. “He was skilled at making instruments for the study of astronomy, and built a famous water clock that could tell the hours of the day and night, as well as the days of the lunar month” (Abdullah, Ali). Al-Zarqali excelled in the creation of instruments. He used geometry in most of his works, constructing all of the famous clocks of Toledo. Not only did he construct simple clocks, but the most accurate and sophisticated astrolabe. This type of astrolabe could function in many different ways and complete a variety of tasks. The most common task was solving any problem of spherical anatomy that anyone could come up with. His astrolabe was also being used to view the sun’s movements, at all times. Al-Zarqali compiled trigonometrical theories “which includes tables of sines, cosines, versed sines, secants, and tangeants” (Muslim heritage). All of his works were translated into Latin, and were put to use for over two centuries. He created tables that had accurate equations for the measurements of the sun, moon, and other planets. This is what brought him the most fame, because of the benefits that these tables brought to other astronomers and mathematicians. “All subsequent tables for different locations in Europe were based on al-Zarqali's measurements”(Muslim Heritage). Al-Zarqali’s works, especially his tables were set as a precedent for all of the other astronomers who wanted to prove theories about celestial objects. Even Copernicus used Al-Zarqali’s works as an example and a guide to help him get somewhere with his works.