Rise and Expansion of Islamic Civilization
Introduction
Over many centuries Islam spread from the Arabian Peninsula to various parts of the world to include Europe. This massive spread was a result of great trade caravans, military conquests and Islam missionaries (Michalopoulos, et al., 2012). Many Islamic cultures merged with other new cultures in new societies to take new diverse forms. The expansion of Muslim civilization was one of the factors that largely contributed to the European Renaissance, a movement that was as a result of the collision of Greek and Islamic ideas and beliefs. The Islamic power in Europe largely ruled the southern region of Spain for more than 600 years, this rule impacted this region making it different from other regions under the Christian rule in Europe. Under the Islamic rule, the southern of Spain became more commercially developed and urbanized with many large cities that attracted masses of traders. Islamic rule in Europe brought about many economic, political and religious implications.
Most of the development that took place in Europe can be attributed to the expansion of Islamic civilization. The Islamic rule in the region of Al-Andalus resulted in the establishment of major cities that prospered as major trade cities. The city of Al-Andalus under Islamic rule rose to be the major trading center for domestic and foreign traders in Europe (Michalopoulos, et al., 2012). The expansion of Muslim civilization led to the development of one of Europe’s largest economic system. The trade between Muslims and Christians in Europe went beyond religious principles (Michalopoulos, et al., 2012). Italian traders opened new trade routes to Muslim ports; this resulted in the largest economic patterns that positively impacted the economic system of Europe.
The Byzantine Empire origin can be traced back to 330 A.D. it is considered as one of the most powerful and vast empires of the world. At the begin the empire was influenced by the Roman culture but as times changed the empires incorporate Christian, Latin, and Persian cultures and later embraced Islamic culture when the Islamic expansion was at its peak (Khan Academy, n.d). Arab Muslims began conquering territories to include the Byzantine and within two decades Arab Muslims had created an empire that spans across three continents. Political stability in these regions was enjoyed since non-Muslims in these regions did not oppose their Islamic rulers and because civilians had suffered long periods of political instability thus there were ambient towards their previous rulers (Khan Academy, n.d). Arab-Muslims took over many territories that belonged to the Byzantine and Sasanian empires and extended their territories to the east and west for religious and political reasons, this happened between 634 to 644 during the reigns of the 2nd Caliph, Umar.
Just like any war the Byzantine and Arab-Muslim war had long-lasting effects for both parties involved. The Byzantine Empire lost most of its territories to the Muslims. Arab-Muslims gained extensive control of the territories in the middle east and Africa (Khan Academy, n.d). The Muslim civil expansion caused a strain on the relationship the empire had with Rome; the empire lost protection offered by the papacy.
Inconclusion, as Arab-Islam that originated from the Arab Peninsula continued to spread to various parts of the world, their culture merged with other cultures to take many diverse forms. The expansion of Muslim civilization was driven by religious and political factors. This expansion greatly impacted Europe resulting in the creation of great trading cities and the development of extensive economic systems. Arab Muslims conquered empires to include the Byzantine empire, the conquest brought with it many political and religious implications. The expansion of Muslim civilization resulted in many political religious and economic implications that were experienced in the middle ages and the centuries that followed long after.
References
Michalopoulos, S., Naghavi, A., & Prarolo, G. (2012). Trade, geography, and the unifying force of Islam. Islam, Institutions and Economic Development.
Khan Academy (n.d). The rise of Islamic empires and states. Retrieved from; https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/medieval-times/spread-of- islam/a/the-rise-of-islamic-empires-and-states
