• Were inhibitors of Roman Empire
• 325- Roman Emperor Constantine I declared himself Christian and declared Christianity the official religion of the empire.
• 324- the Byzantine empire is built
• 330- city of Constantinople is completed.
•  Empire is located between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.
• Over the next 150 years, power, wealth, and strength in Roman empire shift from the west to the east to Constantinople.
• 476- western empire fell and Constantinople became the official capitol.
• 6th and 7th century Byzantines at war with Sasanians
• 658- Byzantines lose all their possesions in middle east and are pushed back to Taurus mountains (previous Roman territory).
• 1453- fall of Byzantine empire.

• Located east of Byzantines
•  From Persian empires
• Established early 3rd century
• Covered most of modern Iran, Mesopotamia, parts of Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Caucuses.
• Capital- Ctesiphon largest city in the world in the 6th century
•  Official religion is Zoroastrianism
• Government

1. People were allowed to do what ever they wanted as long as they did not rise up against the government and they payed taxes.
2. No connection between government and citizens
3. Revenues came from taxes and groups outside of empire who paid tribute to empire to be left alone.

• Invaded by the Byzantines because Byzantines could not expand west towards Europe, so they decided to go east.
• 6th century- warfare between Byzantines and Sasanians
• 7th- Warefare peaks
• 602- Sasanians launch a campaing and invade Syria while Byzantines are distracted in Europe.
• 613- occupy Syria
• 615- occupy Jeruselum
• 616- in control of Egypt
• 618- camp outside Constantinople
• 622- Byzantines' new leader pushes Sasanians out of Egypt, Lavent and Syria.
• 626- seige at Constantinople is broken and Sasanians are sent back.
• 628- Sasanian army revolts against the government and kill the emperor.
• Byzantines occupy Ctesiphon
• New Sasanian emperor makes peace with Byzantines
• 651- Sasanian emperor dies; weakening empire
• 651- fell to early Arabs
•  

• 651- fell to early Arabs Government

• Religion practiced by Sasanians
• Built around Zoroastrian beliefs in 7th century B.C.E
•  Monotheistic religion Emphasized struggle between goodness and evil.
• Believed in free will, existence of heaven and hell, and life after death.
•  Believed fire was the symbol of truth and thus worshiped it.

• Complex code of morality and virtue developed to help Arabs survive in environment.
• 9 commandments

1. Bravery in battle
2. Patience in misfortune
3. Persistance in revenge
4. Protection of weak
5. Defiance toward strong
6. Hospitality toward visitor
7. Generosity to poor
8. Loyalty to tribe
9. Fidelity in keeping promises

Ka'ba

(pre-islam)

• Ancient shrine

• Building believed to have religious relics

• Wealthy widow whom Muhammad goes to work with.
• Was extensivley involved in the trade she inherited
• Considerably older than Muhammad
• Oddly, Muhammad proves himself to her and she proposes to him.
• Thought to be the first Muslim convert
• Always supported Muhammad

• Muhammads uncle whom he goes to live with after his grandfather died.
• Thought to be the second muslim convert

The Night Of Power

• 610- while Muhammad is meditating in the caves outside of Mecca, god sends angel Gabriel to tell Muhammad he has been chosen as gods messenger.