Final answer:
In the 11th century, Baghdad was likely referred to as the City of Peace and was a center of intellectual and cultural exchange in the heartlands of Iraq before its devastation by the Mongol invasion in 1258.
Step-by-step explanation:
An Arab historian in the 11th century likely referred to Baghdad as a hub of intellectual, cultural, and political significance. After the Abbasid Revolution, the capital of the Islamic world was shifted to Baghdad, which was then known as Madinat al-Salam or the City of Peace. This decision was influenced by the desire to position the capital closer to the Islamic East and to take advantage of Baghdad's strategic location on the banks of the Tigris River in the heartlands of Iraq. The city became a prominent center of trade and culture and housed the House of Wisdom, reflecting the wealth and power of the Abbasid state.
Cultural and intellectual activities thrived, particularly in the majlis, or salons, where scientists, philosophers, and artists would mingle and exchange ideas. However, the Mongol invasion in 1258 marked a brutal end to Baghdad's glory, causing immense destruction and loss of life.