Islamic Expansion and Medieval Transitions
Western Schism (1378-1417)
It’s the period in Catholic Church history with three disputing Popes.
Byzantine Empire (8th-11th Century)
The Empire faced internal crises, religious disputes over iconoclasm, and a period of resurgence under the Macedonian dynasty. Despite political instability, Byzantine civilization flourished.
Islamic Expansion
The Muslim expansion was rapid and persistent. Conquered peoples paid taxes but weren’t forced to convert. The Islamic State offered stability but faced internal conflicts due to tribal structures.
Conquest of the East
Expansion began under Caliph Abu Bakr. Raids targeted the weakened Persian Empire. The Tigris and Euphrates valley population welcomed stability.
Conquest of Syria, Mesopotamia, and Armenia
Byzantium contained the Muslim advance but lost territories. Islamic culture urbanized the Middle East.
Conquest of the West: Egypt and North Africa
The invasion of Egypt started in 642. The first Muslim fleet was created in 649. North Africa (Maghreb) became detached from Damascus.
European Conquests: Spain, France, and Italy
The conquest began across the Strait of Gibraltar, led by Musa and Tarif. The invasion of the Iberian Peninsula started in 711. Visigoth resistance was weak. Pelayo stopped the raid in Covadonga in 722. Rahman established a unitary state in Al-Andalus in 756.
Eastern Conquests
Islam expanded to Central Asia and India, encountering resistance from diverse cultures. The Caliphate moved to Baghdad in 762.
Treaty of Verdun
The treaty divided the Carolingian Empire among Lothair I, Louis of Bavaria, and Charles the Bald, ending their hostilities.
Five Pillars of Islam
- Declaration of faith (Shahada)
- Five daily prayers toward Mecca
- Fasting in Ramadan
- Alms to the poor (Zakat)
- Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)
Key Terms
Barbarian: A pejorative term from Greek, meaning “babbling”.
Visigoth: A Germanic people, the western branch of the Goths.
Justinian: A notable ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire.
Basileus: A leader in Athenian democracy.
Hejira: The migration of Muhammad.
Mayor of the Palace: Equivalent to a prime minister or valid.