Question

What was the House of Wisdom?

Answer 1

Known as Bayt al-Hikma in Arabic, the House of Wisdom was founded in 8th century Baghdad by Caliph Harun al-Rashid of the Abbasid dynasty. The Abbasids had come to power in Iraq with a victorious revolution in AD 750 against the Umayyad Caliphs.

Answer 2

The House of Wisdom or House of Knowledge was a library and translation center established during the Abbasid Caliphate era, in Baghdad, Iraq. It was a key institution in the Translation Movement, considered as the greatest intellectual center during the Golden Age of Islam. The House of Wisdom was a society founded by the caliph Harun al-Rashid, which culminated with his son Mamun, who reigned during 813-833 AD. C. and to whom the institution is accredited.