Category Archives: Islam History B: the Umayyads

The Amazing Wealth of Persia, 638-40

Posted on April 29, 2021 by Ruth

Persian luxury was famous; even then, they put carpets on the ground that others would have prized as blankets or wall coverings. In the negotiations before the Battle of Qadisiyah, Arabs had taken pains to ruin any carpets they were … Continue reading →

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Conquering the Tigris, 636-7

Posted on April 29, 2021 by Ruth

The Arab general Khalid had moved quickly up the Euphrates River in 634, but he left his gains there and went to Syria. Now, with Damascus and Jerusalem securely held by Muslims and the remaining armies tackling the tougher port … Continue reading →

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Fall of Jerusalem, 637

Posted on April 28, 2021 by Ruth

The Muslim armies captured remaining towns in Syria in the months following the Battle of Yarmouk. They re-occupied Damascus, temporarily abandoned so as to have maximum forces at Yarmouk. The siege of Emessa/Homs took place in the winter, when the … Continue reading →

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Syria: Damascus, 635 and Yarmouk, 636

Posted on April 27, 2021 by Ruth

Caliph Umar confirmed the previous appointments of commanders and pushed for more action. He intended to lead fighters in the field, and probably did sometimes, but I didn’t see much detail about that. The main campaigns during his Caliphate were … Continue reading →

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Caliph Umar, 634

Posted on April 13, 2021 by Ruth

When Abu Bakr died, he was careful not to leave the same type of succession crisis as they had faced at the Prophet’s death. He knew exactly what he wanted to do. He named Umar as his successor, therefore Caliph. … Continue reading →

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The First Muslim Conquest in Syria, 634

Posted on April 13, 2021 by Ruth

The Arabs were much more familiar with Syria than with Mesopotamia. They had interacted a great deal with the Ghassanids, whose capital city was in the Golan Mountains. They stopped often at cities like Bos(t)ra. Some of the men of … Continue reading →

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Khalid Takes the Euphrates River, 633

Posted on April 13, 2021 by Ruth

Simultaneous invasions began in 633, with armies heading west into Syria and north into Persia (modern Iraq). The western campaigns had little to note until after Khalid’s eastern army joined them, so we’ll start with Khalid. He was in northern … Continue reading →

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Persia in 632

Posted on April 4, 2021 by Ruth

Rome vs. Persia: In the 610s, Persia was racking up victories, and in the 620s, Constantinople began reversing them. By 630, under pressure of war expenses, both empires had meddled in the other side’s revolutions, supporting either a rebel or … Continue reading →

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The Early Muslim Army

Posted on March 28, 2021 by Ruth

Around the time of the Ridda (Apostasy) Wars, a lot of men began to realize that they weren’t about to disband and go home. After the fall of Mecca, some of them had tried out the idea. It’s possible that … Continue reading →

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The Ridda Wars of Apostasy, 632

Posted on March 28, 2021 by Ruth

After Fatimah died, Ali finally chose to swear allegiance to Abu Bakr as the Successor, or Caliph. It must have been very bitter, but time had passed and it was the new reality. To disrupt the new status quo and … Continue reading →

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