The Byzantine Empire, The Islamic Empire and Mohammad's Successors (Brief)

As we know there were many Empires throughout history, some prosperous and some not so much, in my opinion the Byzantine Empire may have been the most powerful and financially stable. Also an interesting topic of discussion is the rise of Islam through Muhammad’s Successors and what seemed to be the depletion of the Byzantine Empire. Personally I believe that if the Byzantine Empire had looked after the west as well as they did the east, the empire would have lasted a lot longer being that they had geographic advantage over the Empires that attempted attacks, power, riches, and ever more importantly, the people’s support. The official religion had been Christianity and worked well under the rule of Justinian UNTIL he taxed the citizens heavily to keep the Empire going due to debt. In the crumbling financially and economically, they were subject to takeover.

In the slipping of the Byzantine Empire, the Muslims spread and carried out attacks on them starting with Syria; they lost Syria, The Holy Land, Egypt and North Africa. The Islamic Empire seemed to be a bit chaotic, though the people oppressed by the Byzantine Empire’s rule over Europe did follow, they forced the spread of their religion. But they did become known for breaking the barriers or race and nationality which is still shown in today’s society. The Islamic Empire conquered and also took in non Muslims. Even as they spread their beliefs and practices they picked up some also from others such as the Persian Empire. Muhammad’s Successors played a great part in the spread using the 5 pillars of faith through force and also through peaceful action but not as prominently.

Both Empires shared some similarities such as the belief in one ruler, after life and that all humans are born uncleansed, but the techniques in spreading the religion definitely differed. The Christians believed in only peaceful spread and the Muslims would have it either way, you could go peacefully or brutally. Both religions today are pretty much the same and both Empires have effected today’s society in choice of religion and acceptance of different kinds of people.