Реферат: Islamic Conquests Up To 700 Ad

Islamic Conquests Up To 700 A.d. – Islamic Strengths / Roman Weaknesses? Essay, Research Paper

In the two decades after the

Byzantine occupation of Ctesiphon in 629 the newly formed Islamic state had

destroyed the Sasaninan Empire whilst severely damaged the Byzantine

Empire.? These gains were by no means

temporary.? Indeed our period sees the

strengthening and expansion of these gains into northern Africa and the

Mediterranean Islands. Yet, before Muhammad?s extraordinary rise to power there

had been no Islamic state at all.? In a

little over a decade Muhammad and his followers had converted a raft of

separate and nomadic tribes into a state capable of defeating both the region?s

great powers.? This conquest was as

unexpected as it was remarkable.? I will

attempt to highlight both the Arabian strengths and the Byzantine and Persian

weaknesses before examining their relative importance. The Arabs strength was primarily

based on their unity.? Whilst nomadic

warriors were mobile and effective, they had previously lacked the unity of

purpose and unity of action to pose a serious threat to either of the great

powers.? These nomadic tribes were more

likely to raid the great powers in a snatch and grab fashion. For this reason

neither empire devoted significant resources to the defence against the

Arabs.? Instead Arabian allies, like the

Ghassnids and the Lakhmids, were employed to keep the nomads in check.? In hindsight it is clear that if harnessed

correctly these nomadic tribes, and their sedentary and tribal brothers, could

provide an imposing and effective force.?

It was Muhammad and most significantly the new religion of Islam that

finally harnessed this power. It is important to note that Muhammad?s Islamic

state did not destroy the tribal system that underpinned Arabian life.? Instead, we should see the Islamic state as

a ?supra-tribe?.? Muhammad and Abu Bakr

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