Early Muslim conquests

In 602, the Persian Empire deposed the Lakhmid kingdom, a client state covering parts of southern Iraq and northern Saudi Arabia. This action left Persia exposed and overextended along its southern frontier. Arabian society was divided along tribal lines between southern and northern associations. Both Byzantine and Sasanian empires competed for influence by sponsoring these clients. The Yemeni were skilled sailors who traveled up the Red Sea to Egypt and across the Indian Ocean to India. Inland valleys had been cultivated by irrigation systems until an earthquake destroyed the Marib Dam around 450 AD. Frankincense and myrrh once held great value in Mediterranean religious ceremonies. Conversion of the Mediterranean world to Christianity significantly reduced demand for these commodities. A major economic slump followed in southern Arabia. This created an impression that Arabia was backward despite its history as a wealthy trading region.

Byzantine Sasanian Exhaustion

The prolonged Byzantine, Sasanian wars of the sixth and seventh centuries left both empires exhausted. Recurring outbreaks of bubonic plague known as the Plague of Justinian further weakened their populations. Emperor Heraclius regained all lost territories and restored the True Cross to Jerusalem in 629. The war against Zoroastrian Persia had been portrayed as a holy war defending Christian faith. Heraclius used splinters of wood from the True Cross to inspire fighting zeal among his troops. Neither empire received any chance to recover before being overrun by Arab advances. James Howard-Johnston described this sudden expansion as resembling a human tsunami. George Liska noted that the unnecessarily prolonged conflict opened the way for Islam. By the mid-630s, the united Arabian Peninsula achieved its greatest power relative to Near Eastern forces. The thirty-year war between Byzantines and Persians depleted manpower resources and morale. The only other principal military force on the peninsula, the Himyarite Kingdom, dissolved by the middle of the sixth century due to combined factors.

When did the Persian Empire depose the Lakhmid kingdom?

The Persian Empire deposed the Lakhmid kingdom in 602. This action left Persia exposed and overextended along its southern frontier.

What caused the economic slump in southern Arabia before the conquests?

An earthquake destroyed the Marib Dam around 450 AD, which ended irrigation systems that had cultivated inland valleys. Conversion of the Mediterranean world to Christianity significantly reduced demand for frankincense and myrrh, creating a major economic slump in southern Arabia.

Who defeated Heraclius at the Battle of Yarmuk in 636?

Arab forces led by Khalid ibn al-Wid scored a decisive victory against Emperor Heraclius at the Battle of Yarmuk in 636. Syria was ordered abandoned to Muslims after this rout.

How many years did it take for Arab forces to conquer Egypt?

Arab forces conquered Egypt between 639 and 642, making it the swiftest and most complete early Muslim conquest. The Babylon fortress garrison surrendered on the 9th of April 641, and Alexandria capitulated in September 642.

When did Tariq ibn Ziyad cross the Strait of Gibraltar into Spain?

Tariq ibn Ziyad crossed the Strait of Gibraltar with an army of Arabs and Berbers on the 29th of April 711. He defeated King Roderic at the river Guadalete on July 19th same year.

Early Muslim conquests

Byzantine Sasanian Exhaustion

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Common questions

When did the Persian Empire depose the Lakhmid kingdom?

What caused the economic slump in southern Arabia before the conquests?

Who defeated Heraclius at the Battle of Yarmuk in 636?

How many years did it take for Arab forces to conquer Egypt?

When did Tariq ibn Ziyad cross the Strait of Gibraltar into Spain?

Military Tactics And Armies

Conquest Of Syria And Egypt

Collapse Of The Sasanian Empire

Expansion Into North Africa And Iberia

Administrative Reorganization And Taxation

Early Muslim conquests

Byzantine Sasanian Exhaustion

Up Next

Continue Browsing

Common questions

When did the Persian Empire depose the Lakhmid kingdom?

What caused the economic slump in southern Arabia before the conquests?

Who defeated Heraclius at the Battle of Yarmuk in 636?

How many years did it take for Arab forces to conquer Egypt?

When did Tariq ibn Ziyad cross the Strait of Gibraltar into Spain?

Military Tactics And Armies

Conquest Of Syria And Egypt

Collapse Of The Sasanian Empire

Expansion Into North Africa And Iberia

Administrative Reorganization And Taxation

Religious Pluralism And Social Change