Growth of Islam | Byzantine Empire

Growth of Islam


During the early 7th century CE, Arabia was primarily a polytheistic society, comprised mainly of Bedouins. Bedouins were traditionally nomadic peoples who lived in the desert belt that stretched across the Sahara of northern Africa, as well as the Arabian Peninsula. Along with the portion of society that practiced polytheism, there were also populations that followed Judaism and Christianity. The beginnings of Islam came when Muhammad, a trader, was meditating in the desert and received a call from God. Muhammad wanted to share this message of faith, but it was not welcomed in his home of Mecca, where polytheism was the dominant religious practice. Muhammad fled to Medina, where he slowly built a large following. In 630 Muhammad returned to Mecca, and after several battles, was able to take control of the region. After his death in 632, Muhammad's father-in-law became the leader of Islam, and during his reign he began a series of conquests into Syria, Egypt, and northern Africa. A little over a hundred years after the death of Muhammad, Islam had been spread throughout Arabia, northern Africa, and into central Asia. This interactive map details that expansion, as well as the various campaigns that spread the religion after Muhammad's death.

1			How did Islam spread so quickly in a little over a hundred years? Why was Islam such an appealing religion?
2			Who led many of the campaigns to spread Islam? What is the legacy of these campaigns today?
3			Why did Islam not spread further at this point in history? What forestalled its expansion?

Byzantine Empire


The Byzantine Empire was the eastern portion of the Roman Empire, and its reign spanned from 395 until 1453. During the sixth century, Byzantium reached the zenith of its imperial expansion under the reign of Justinian. Justinian's rule was characterized by the largest gain in territory since the beginning of the Eastern Roman Empire. Much of the Mediterranean region was conquered, including Italy, northern Africa, and Spain. After the death of Justinian, the empire was rocked by a series of invasions from the Lombards, Slavs, and Persians, who regained control over many of the previously conquered regions. This began the gradual loss of territory that characterized the next several centuries of Byzantine reign. During the Crusades of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, even more territory was lost to Ottoman control. Finally in 1453, the city of Constantinople was attacked and fell to Mehmed II, and the Ottoman Empire gained control of the remainder of Byzantine territory.

4			What characteristics did Byzantium inherit from the Roman empire? How did it differ?
5			Why did Christianity split into two regional and very different divisions? Do you think the basic differences between the two branches of organized Christianity were more political or religious in their roots?
6			Compare and contrast the methods and philosophies of rule used by Byzantium rulers to those employed by rulers of Han, Roman, and Persian empires.