Expansion of Islam
early victories
backsliders (tribes) punished
Apostasy = treason = death
assaults on:
the Byzantine (East Roman) empire
the Sassanid (Persian) Empire also known as Eranshahr or
“ Empire of the Aryans (Persians)”
Muslim Arab Victories
Syria: 635 A.D.
Palestine: 636 A.D.
Persia: captured in one battle
expansion into India
expansion to the borders of China
Egypt: help by local Christians
North Africa: the Berbers
Expansion and Defeat
Spain 711-720 A.D. (Franks)
Battle of Tours: October 732 A.D.
Charles Martel (Carolingian Family)
Siege of Constantinople: 717-718 A.D.
Leo III of Byzantine Empire
Greek fire
beginnings of Christian reconquest of former
Roman/Christian territory (Holy Lands)
Reasons for success
exhaustion of Rome and Persia