SNAPSHOTEuropean Borrowing

Like people in other emerging civilizations of the third-wave era, Europeans borrowed extensively from their near and more distant counterparts. They adapted these imports, both technological and cultural, to their own circumstances and generated distinctive innovations as well.

BorrowingSourceSignificance
Horse collarChina / Central Asia via TunisiaEnabled heavy plowing and contributed to European agricultural development
StirrupIndia/AfghanistanRevolutionized warfare by enhancing cavalry forces
GunpowderChinaEnhanced the destructiveness of warfare
PaperChinaEnabled bureaucracy; fostered literacy; prerequisite for printing
Spinning wheelIndiaSped up production of yarn, usually by women at home
WheelbarrowChinaLaborsaving device for farm and construction work
AristotleByzantium / Islamic SpainRecovery of classical Greek thought
Medical knowledge/treatmentsIslamic worldSedatives, antiseptics, surgical techniques, optics, and knowledge of contagious diseases enriched European medicine
Christian mysticismMuslim SpainMutual influence of Sufi, Jewish, and Christian mysticism
Music/poetryMuslim SpainContributed to tradition of troubadour poetry about chivalry and courtly love
MathematicsIndia / Islamic worldFoundation for European algebra
ChessIndia/PersiaA game of prestige associated with European nobility