Source A: A Scholar’s Account of the House of Wisdom

"The House of Wisdom was a center of learning where scholars from different parts of the world gathered to translate, study, and expand knowledge. They worked on texts from Greece, India, Persia, and others, making significant advances in science, mathematics, and philosophy. The scholars also developed new ideas and shared their discoveries, which later influenced both the Islamic world and Europe. The library was filled with manuscripts, and the scholars were dedicated to preserving and building upon the knowledge of previous civilizations. This institution symbolized the pursuit of knowledge and the spirit of inquiry that flourished during the Islamic Golden Age." Provenance: Ibn al-Haytham, 11th century, report of the activities of scholars at the House of Wisdom, written by a scholar involved in the translation efforts.