Transcript The Muslim Conquests 632

The Muslim Conquests
632-732 A.D.
Summary
“The century-long campaign of expansion
undertaken by Arabian forces espousing the
new faith of Islam.”
• Combatants
– Arab Muslims
– Byzantine Empire
– Sasanian Empire
– Berber States
– Kingdom of Visigoths
– Kingdom of the Franks
Key Outcomes
•
•
•
•
Established Islam as significant religion
Spread culture and science with conquests
Led to the Crusades
Led to future clashes with Christianity
Timeline
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
570 AD: Birth of Muhammad
632 AD: Death of Muhammad
633 AD: 1st Muslim attack on Byzantine Empire
638 AD: Muslims take Jerusalem
669-679 AD: Muslims fail to take Constantinople
702 AD: Muslims conquer North Africa
711-718 AD: Muslim conquest of Iberia
732 AD: Battle of Tours (Poitiers)
Strategy
• Expansion of Islamic state
• Direct warlike tribes in Arabia outward to
maintain unity of Islam
• Allow conquered to convert to Islam
Compare & Contrast:
Muslims vs. Crusaders
• Technology somewhat similar
• Tactics completely different
Tactics
• Outstanding horsemen
• Fast-moving and highly disciplined
– Wore less armor than Europeans
• Repeated cavalry charges
– Mounted archers
• Feigned retreats
• Flanking movements
Technology
•
•
•
•
•
Light chain mail over hardened leather jackets
Lance
Small shields
Swords
Bow
Leadership
• Muhammad
– Prophet of Islam
– Conquered Mecca w/support of Bedouin tribes
– Conquered most of Arabian peninsula by 632 AD
• Umar I
– Aided Muhammad’s conquest of Arabia
– Oversaw Muslim expansion
– Created Sunni/Shiite split
“The Fall of Syria”
• Arab Muslims vs. Byzantine Empire
• The Battle of Yarmuk River, 636 AD
– Lasted 6 days
•
•
•
•
Arabs outnumbered 2 to 1
Byzantines retreat blocked by Arab cavalry
Gave Arabs Southern Syria & Palestine
Set up crusades
Muslim Conquest of Iberia
• Visigoths took Iberia (Spain & Portugal) from
W. Roman Empire (about 419-430 AD)
• 702 AD: Muslims conquer and convert Berber
tribes of N. Africa
• 711 AD: Muslims invade Iberia w/aid of
Byzantine outpost
• 721 AD: Muslims conquer most of Iberia and
advance into France
Battle of Tours 732 AD
•
•
•
•
Franks vs. Muslim Arab/Berbers
Southwestern France
Franks led by Charles Martel “The Hammer”
Prevented further expansion of Islam into
Europe