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Muhammad al-Idrisi's primary scholarly contributions were in the fields of astronomy and philosophy.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source identifies Muhammad al-Idrisi primarily as an Arab Muslim geographer and cartographer, not an astronomer or philosopher.
Al-Idrisi's birth and death both occurred in Palermo, Sicily.
Answer: False
Explanation: Al-Idrisi was born and died in Ceuta, not Palermo, Sicily, although he served King Roger II in Palermo.
Muhammad al-Idrisi served in the court of King Roger II of Sicily in Palermo during the Norman era.
Answer: True
Explanation: Al-Idrisi indeed served in the court of King Roger II in Palermo, Sicily, during the period known as the Era of the Normans.
Al-Idrisi's lineage traced back to the Abbasid dynasty through the Idrisid dynasty.
Answer: False
Explanation: Al-Idrisi's lineage traced back to Muhammad through the Idrisid dynasty, but he hailed from the Hammudid dynasty, not the Abbasid dynasty.
Al-Idrisi's great-grandfather settled in Ceuta following the fall of Hammudid Málaga to the Zirids of Granada.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source confirms that al-Idrisi's great-grandfather was compelled to settle in Ceuta after the fall of Hammudid Málaga to the Zirids of Granada.
Al-Idrisi pursued his studies at a university in Baghdad after extensive travels in the Middle East.
Answer: False
Explanation: Al-Idrisi pursued his studies at the university in Córdoba, not Baghdad, and his early travels were primarily in North Africa, Al-Andalus, and Anatolia.
Al-Idrisi's extensive travels included regions such as Portugal, Hungary, and York (Jórvík) in England.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source explicitly states that al-Idrisi's travels extended to Portugal, Hungary, and Jórvík (York) in England.
Al-Idrisi relocated to Sicily to escape political instability in North Africa, specifically due to the Fatimids taking control.
Answer: False
Explanation: Al-Idrisi moved to Sicily to escape conflict and instability in Al-Andalus, where the Normans had overthrown Arab factions previously loyal to the Fatimids, not because the Fatimids had taken control in North Africa.
What was Muhammad al-Idrisi's primary scholarly profession?
Answer: Geographer and cartographer
Explanation: Muhammad al-Idrisi is primarily recognized as an Arab Muslim geographer and cartographer.
In which city were both al-Idrisi's birth and death recorded?
Answer: Ceuta
Explanation: Al-Idrisi was born and died in Ceuta, a city under the Almoravid dynasty at his birth and the Almohad Caliphate at his death.
Which monarch did al-Idrisi serve in Sicily?
Answer: King Roger II
Explanation: Al-Idrisi served in the court of King Roger II of Sicily in Palermo.
From which historical dynasty did al-Idrisi originate?
Answer: Hammudid dynasty
Explanation: Al-Idrisi hailed from the Hammudid dynasty of North Africa and Al-Andalus.
What specific historical event compelled al-Idrisi's great-grandfather to settle in Ceuta?
Answer: The fall of Hammudid Málaga to the Zirids of Granada
Explanation: Al-Idrisi's great-grandfather was compelled to settle in Ceuta following the fall of Hammudid Málaga to the Zirids of Granada.
During his early life, where did al-Idrisi pursue his formal studies?
Answer: University of Córdoba
Explanation: Al-Idrisi pursued his studies at the university in Córdoba.
Which of the following European regions is NOT mentioned as a place al-Idrisi visited during his extensive travels?
Answer: Italy
Explanation: Al-Idrisi's travels included Portugal, the Pyrenees, the French Atlantic coast, Hungary, and York (Jórvík), but Italy is not explicitly listed as a region he visited, though he resided in Sicily.
What was the principal reason for al-Idrisi's relocation to Sicily?
Answer: To escape conflict and instability in Al-Andalus
Explanation: Al-Idrisi moved to Sicily due to conflict and instability in Al-Andalus.
Al-Idrisi's most renowned cartographic achievement, the *Tabula Rogeriana*, is recognized as a highly advanced medieval world map.
Answer: True
Explanation: The *Tabula Rogeriana* is indeed al-Idrisi's most famous work, celebrated as one of the most advanced medieval world maps.
The *Tabula Rogeriana* was compiled by integrating geographical knowledge from Islamic merchants and Norman voyagers.
Answer: True
Explanation: Al-Idrisi compiled the *Tabula Rogeriana* by synthesizing information from Islamic merchants and explorers with data provided by Norman voyagers.
The geographical text accompanying the *Tabula Rogeriana* was titled *Opus Geographicum*, which translates to *The Grand Atlas*.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Latin title for the accompanying text was *Opus Geographicum*, but its full Arabic title, *Kitab nuzhat al-mushtaq*, translates to *A Diversion for the Man Longing to Travel to Far-Off Places*, not *The Grand Atlas*.
The *Tabula Rogeriana* was completed in 1154, following al-Idrisi's eighteen-year tenure at King Roger II's court.
Answer: True
Explanation: The *Tabula Rogeriana* was indeed completed in 1154, after al-Idrisi had spent eighteen years at the court of King Roger II developing the map and its commentaries.
The *Tabula Rogeriana* depicted the entirety of the Eurasian and African continents with detailed accuracy.
Answer: False
Explanation: The *Tabula Rogeriana* depicted the entire Eurasian continent but only the northern part of the African continent, lacking specific details for the Horn of Africa and Southeast Asia.
King Roger II commissioned the *Tabula Rogeriana* to be inscribed on a large disc of solid gold.
Answer: False
Explanation: King Roger II commissioned the *Tabula Rogeriana* to be inscribed on a substantial disc of solid silver, not gold.
The oil colors utilized in al-Idrisi's maps, such as lapis lazuli blue for water, are remarkable for retaining their vividness to the present day.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source notes that the oil colors al-Idrisi employed, including lapis lazuli blue for water, are still vivid today, indicating high quality materials.
Al-Idrisi's original world maps, including the *Tabula Rogeriana*, were oriented with North at the top.
Answer: False
Explanation: Al-Idrisi's original world maps, including the *Tabula Rogeriana*, were drawn with South at the top, an inverted orientation compared to modern cartographic conventions.
What is the title of al-Idrisi's most celebrated cartographic work?
Answer: Tabula Rogeriana
Explanation: Al-Idrisi is best known for creating the *Tabula Rogeriana*, considered one of the most advanced medieval world maps.
What was al-Idrisi's primary methodology for compiling information for the *Tabula Rogeriana*?
Answer: By synthesizing knowledge from Islamic merchants and Norman voyagers
Explanation: Al-Idrisi compiled the *Tabula Rogeriana* by integrating geographical knowledge from Islamic merchants and explorers with data provided by Norman voyagers.
What is the Latin title of the geographical text that accompanied the *Tabula Rogeriana*?
Answer: Opus Geographicum
Explanation: The geographical text accompanying the map was titled *Kitab nuzhat al-mushtaq*, also known in Latin as *Opus Geographicum*.
In what year was the *Tabula Rogeriana* completed?
Answer: 1154
Explanation: The *Tabula Rogeriana* was completed by al-Idrisi in 1154.
Which specific portion of the African continent was depicted in the *Tabula Rogeriana*?
Answer: Only the northern part
Explanation: The *Tabula Rogeriana* depicted only the northern part of the African continent.
Which specific color did al-Idrisi employ for depicting water in his maps, a color noted for its enduring vividness?
Answer: Lapis lazuli blue
Explanation: Al-Idrisi used lapis lazuli blue for water in his maps, a color noted for remaining vivid to this day.
What is one of the alternative translated titles for al-Idrisi's comprehensive geographical work, *Kitab nuzhat al-mushtaq*?
Answer: The pleasure of him who longs to cross the horizons
Explanation: Alternative translated titles for *Kitab nuzhat al-mushtaq* include *The book of pleasant journeys into faraway lands* or *The pleasure of him who longs to cross the horizons*.
What distinctive characteristic defines the orientation of al-Idrisi's original world maps?
Answer: They were drawn with South at the top.
Explanation: Al-Idrisi's original world maps, including the *Tabula Rogeriana*, were drawn with South at the top, which is an inverted orientation compared to modern cartographic conventions.
Historians believe al-Idrisi's *Irlandah-al-Kabirah* (Great Ireland) refers to Iceland.
Answer: False
Explanation: Historians believe al-Idrisi's reference to *Irlandah-al-Kabirah* (Great Ireland) most likely points to Greenland, not Iceland.
Al-Idrisi documented that Chinese junks primarily transported spices and precious metals.
Answer: False
Explanation: Al-Idrisi recorded that Chinese junks transported goods such as leather, swords, iron, and silk, not primarily spices and precious metals.
Al-Idrisi specifically highlighted glassware from Hangzhou and high-quality silk from Quanzhou in his trade records.
Answer: True
Explanation: Al-Idrisi's records specifically mentioned glassware from Hangzhou and high-quality silk from Quanzhou, providing insight into regional Chinese manufacturing.
Al-Idrisi's writings discouraged Arab merchants from engaging in trade with the Silla Dynasty.
Answer: False
Explanation: Al-Idrisi's references to the Silla Dynasty encouraged Arab merchants to seek trade with them, contributing to a positive perception of Silla as an ideal East-Asian country.
In al-Idrisi's *Tabula Rogeriana*, what geographical entity did *Irlandah-al-Kabirah* (Great Ireland) most likely refer to?
Answer: Greenland
Explanation: Historians believe al-Idrisi's reference to *Irlandah-al-Kabirah* (Great Ireland) most likely pointed to Greenland.
Based on al-Idrisi's accounts of Chinese trade, which of the following goods were transported by Chinese junks?
Answer: Leather, swords, iron, and silk
Explanation: Al-Idrisi recorded that Chinese junks transported goods including leather, swords, iron, and silk.
What was the impact of al-Idrisi's writings on Arab merchants' perception and engagement with the Silla Dynasty?
Answer: It encouraged them to seek out Silla for trade, viewing it as an ideal East-Asian country.
Explanation: Al-Idrisi's writings encouraged Arab merchants to seek trade with the Silla Dynasty, contributing to its perception as an ideal East-Asian country.
In the introduction to his work, al-Idrisi cited Claudius Ptolemy and an unnamed astronomer, presumed to be Ishaq ibn al-Hasan al-Zayyat, as primary sources for geographical coordinates.
Answer: True
Explanation: Al-Idrisi cited Claudius Ptolemy and an unnamed astronomer, believed to be Ishaq ibn al-Hasan al-Zayyat, as primary sources for geographical coordinates in his introduction.
Al-Idrisi ensured the accuracy of his geographical coordinates by relying exclusively on written reports from established geographers.
Answer: False
Explanation: Al-Idrisi stated that he cross-checked oral reports from various informers to verify the consistency of geographical coordinates, not solely relying on written reports.
In the introduction to *Nuzhat al-Mushtaq*, which two primary sources for geographical coordinates did al-Idrisi cite?
Answer: Claudius Ptolemy and an unnamed astronomer
Explanation: Al-Idrisi cited Claudius Ptolemy and an unnamed astronomer, believed to be Ishaq ibn al-Hasan al-Zayyat, as primary sources for geographical coordinates.
What specific methodology did al-Idrisi employ to verify the accuracy of geographical coordinates in his work?
Answer: He cross-checked oral reports from various informers.
Explanation: Al-Idrisi stated that he cross-checked oral reports from various informers to verify the consistency of geographical coordinates.
Al-Idrisi's *Nuzhat al-Mushtaq* is frequently cited by proponents of pre-Columbian Andalusian-Americas contact theories.
Answer: True
Explanation: Al-Idrisi's *Nuzhat al-Mushtaq* is indeed cited by proponents of pre-Columbian Andalusian-Americas contact theories due to its descriptions of Atlantic voyages.
Al-Idrisi characterized the Atlantic Ocean as calm, easily traversable, and posing few dangers.
Answer: False
Explanation: Al-Idrisi described the Atlantic Ocean as an 'ocean of fogs' that was very difficult to traverse, noting its strong waves, perilous dangers, and terrible beasts.
The most plausible interpretation of the Mugharrarin's Atlantic journey suggests they reached the Sargasso Sea.
Answer: True
Explanation: The most probable interpretation of the Mugharrarin's journey is that they reached the Sargasso Sea, an area near Bermuda but far from the American mainland.
What was a prominent characteristic of al-Idrisi's description of the Atlantic Ocean?
Answer: It was an 'ocean of fogs' with strong waves and perils.
Explanation: Al-Idrisi described the Atlantic Ocean as an 'ocean of fogs' that was very difficult to traverse, noting its strong waves, perilous dangers, and terrible beasts.
S.P. Scott attributed to al-Idrisi the construction of a celestial and terrestrial planisphere made of bronze.
Answer: False
Explanation: S.P. Scott credited al-Idrisi with constructing a celestial and terrestrial planisphere made of silver, not bronze.
The Al-Idrisi Montes, a geographical feature in the Pluto system, was named in his honor, inspired by the evocative title of his work.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Al-Idrisi Montes on Pluto was indeed named after him, specifically inspired by the translated title of his work, *The pleasure of him who longs to cross the horizons*.
Al-Idrisi's medical dictionary contained drug names exclusively in Arabic and Latin.
Answer: False
Explanation: Al-Idrisi's medical dictionary was unique for including drug names in up to 12 languages, including Spanish, Berber, Latin, Greek, Sanskrit, and Hebrew terms.
Al-Idrisi's medical dictionary organized medicinal herbs alphabetically and concluded with an index of their entries.
Answer: True
Explanation: The medical dictionary organized medicinal herbs alphabetically and included an index of their entries at the conclusion of that section.
Al-Idrisi is a major character in Karol Szymanowski's 1926 opera *King Roger*.
Answer: True
Explanation: Al-Idrisi is indeed a major character in Karol Szymanowski's 1926 opera *King Roger*, showcasing his cultural impact.
Beyond his cartographic works, what other mechanical creation is attributed to al-Idrisi by S.P. Scott?
Answer: A celestial and terrestrial planisphere made of silver
Explanation: S.P. Scott credited al-Idrisi with constructing a celestial and terrestrial planisphere made of silver.
Which modern extraterrestrial geographical feature is named in honor of al-Idrisi?
Answer: A mountain range on Pluto
Explanation: The Al-Idrisi Montes, a geographical feature within the Pluto system, was named after him.
Which of the following represents one of al-Idrisi's lesser-known scholarly contributions?
Answer: A medical dictionary
Explanation: Among his lesser-known contributions is a medical dictionary that he compiled.
What distinctive linguistic feature characterized al-Idrisi's medical dictionary?
Answer: It included drug names in up to 12 languages, including Hebrew terms.
Explanation: The dictionary included drug names in as many as 12 languages, including Hebrew terms transliterated into Arabic.
Which specific herbal medicine book did al-Idrisi frequently cite within his medical dictionary?
Answer: Kitāb al-Talbīṣ by Marwan ibn Ganah
Explanation: Al-Idrisi frequently cited Marwan ibn Ganah's *Kitāb al-Talbīṣ* in his medical dictionary.
In which contemporary novel is al-Idrisi featured as a supporting character?
Answer: The Map of Salt and Stars by Zeyn Joukhadar
Explanation: Al-Idrisi is a supporting character in Zeyn Joukhadar's novel *The Map of Salt and Stars*.
S.P. Scott observed that al-Idrisi's maps were copied by geographers for three centuries without alteration.
Answer: True
Explanation: S.P. Scott indeed noted that al-Idrisi's maps were copied by geographers for three centuries without alteration, highlighting their enduring influence.
Al-Idrisi's cartographic work significantly influenced Renaissance cartography in Western Europe.
Answer: False
Explanation: Al-Idrisi's work remained largely unknown in Western Europe and consequently had minimal impact on the development of Renaissance cartography.
Of the nine preserved manuscripts of *Nuzhat al-Mushtaq*, all are known to include maps.
Answer: False
Explanation: While nine manuscripts of *Nuzhat al-Mushtaq* have been preserved, only seven of them contain maps.
An abridged Arabic version of al-Idrisi's text was first published in Rome in 1592, marking it as one of the earliest Arabic books ever printed.
Answer: True
Explanation: An abridged Arabic version of al-Idrisi's work was indeed published in Rome in 1592, and it is noted as one of the first Arabic books ever printed.
The first complete translation of al-Idrisi's Arabic text into French was published in the early 18th century.
Answer: False
Explanation: A complete translation of al-Idrisi's Arabic text into French was published in the middle of the 19th century, not the early 18th century.
According to S.P. Scott, for what duration were al-Idrisi's maps copied by geographers without alteration?
Answer: Three centuries
Explanation: S.P. Scott noted that al-Idrisi's maps were copied by geographers for three centuries without alteration.
What was the discernible impact of al-Idrisi's cartographic work on Renaissance cartography in Western Europe?
Answer: It had minimal impact due to remaining largely unknown.
Explanation: Al-Idrisi's work remained largely unknown in Western Europe and consequently had minimal impact on the development of Renaissance cartography.
Of the preserved manuscripts of *Nuzhat al-Mushtaq*, how many are known to contain maps?
Answer: Seven
Explanation: Seven of the nine preserved manuscripts of *Nuzhat al-Mushtaq* contain maps.
Who were the individuals responsible for producing the first abridged Latin translation of al-Idrisi's work, titled *Geographia nubiensis*?
Answer: Gabriel Sionita and Joannes Hesronita
Explanation: The Maronites Gabriel Sionita and Joannes Hesronita produced the first abridged Latin translation, published in Paris in 1619 under the title *Geographia nubiensis*.
According to the French National Library, how many copies of al-Idrisi's *Kitab Rujar* or *Tabula Rogeriana* are known to be extant today?
Answer: Ten
Explanation: According to the French National Library, ten copies of the *Kitab Rujar* or *Tabula Rogeriana* exist worldwide today.