In researching a culture, there are main outlines which are: food production, language, government, economy, technology, military, philosophy, and religion. The Anglo-Saxons and Islam are both really diverse to each other and which I find very interesting. Just like everything else in history, it has influenced many of our uses today.
The Saxons mostly ate meat roasted with bread and their fine wines, which was imported from the Mediterranean. They also drank ale and mead that was a kind of beer made from sweet honey. They grew cereals, veggies, and fruit. They also ate fish caught from rivers and seas. For Muslims, there are some restrictions in what foods you may eat. ‘Haram’ is Arabic for forbidden and unlawful. Some Haram foods are: Pork, Drugs, carnivorous animals or birds, animals death caused by nature, and alcohol or liquor.
The Anglo-Saxons moved to Britain after the fall in the Roman Empire around 410 AD. Alfred the Great was whom first started using Old English. In contrast, the Islam are from Saudi Arabia and language is Arabic. Their language was made on their own and wasn’t influenced on anyone else. Islam writing is also very different amongst all other kinds, called ‘calligraphy‘ meaning ‘beautiful writing‘. It comes from the Greek term kalos meaning beautiful and graphos meaning writing. It is used to decorate architecture and Qur’an, which is a guidance for the muslims of right and wrong.
The economy and government is what represents each country. The Anglo-Saxon used jewelry and pottery for trade. The transportation was relied on horses and water. Slavery was also very important to their society. Islam was first to institute the concept of rule of law. Abu Bakr once said, “It is true that I have been elected your amir(ruler)… If I give you a command in accored with the Qur’ran and the practice of the prophet, obey me. But if I give you a command departing from the Qur’ran or the practice of the prophet, you owe me no obedience, but must correct me.”
Technology took part in those times just as much as we use it in today’s world. The Saxons used glass for vessels, beads, windows, and even jewelery. Timber, although, was their best resource because it is less likely to crack as it dries. It was used for adzes, axes, ships, musical instruments, coffins, and bridges. They also used leather a lot for shoes, belts, pouches, ropes, shield coverings, and cups. Islam mostly studied Astronomy, mathematics, and chemistry/medicine. They introduced many things like algebra and the scientific method.
The Saxon’s military was called a ‘fyrd’, in which consisted of Thanes, which were ‘professional’ warriors. There was a rotation so that there was always a force on call. In peace, they served as police. The Islam military’s cause of initial defeat was because of their large numbers. Abu Bakr said, “ We should not at all be defeated because our soldiers far outnumber those of the enemy”. With that though, they ignored tactics and the principles of war.
Religions if not, unless you’re an Atheist, is a divine way in having faith and having something to look forward to in your afterlife. Not only that, but also keeping people in discipline by going by their ‘rules’. The church for the Saxons was also a way into helping the public with a civil service and educational system. As mentioned before, they had moved away from the Roman Empire and were Pagans— but as time went on, they converted into Christians. The Muslims religion originated on its own. It started when Muhammad had revelation from Archangel Gabriel and went to Medina. Like the Saxons, Islam is a monotheistic religion; they praise Allah, meaning God in Arabic. They pray five times a day facing the Ka’abah in Makkah. The Muslims also go by these 5 pillars:
Shahadah- reciting Muslim profession of faith.
Salat- praying five times a day.
Zakat- charity to benefit the poor.
Sawn- fast during the month of Ramadan(sunset to sunrise).
Hajj- Pilgrimage to Mecca.
In conclusion, these two different cultures are different in basically everything! They each originate from different areas and don’t share the same ideas. But without either of them we wouldn’t have many advances in our science, math, and most importantly, our English language. Each custom mixing with others and serving as an influence to the ones in the future.
