The sudden creation of the Arabian power must not be
understood, however, as solely a religious movement. Pride and greed, as well
as fanaticism, drove the Arabs forward on their conquering career. Long before
Mohammed's time Arabia had been in a state of unrest. Its warlike tribes,
feeling a sense of their superiority to other peoples, were eager to overrun
the rich districts of western Asia, much as the Germans had overrun western
Europe. Islam strengthened the racial pride of the Arabs, united them into one
nation, and gave them an effective organization for world-wide rule.
ARAB CONQUESTS IN THE EAST, 632-642 A.D.
The most extensive conquests of the Arabs were made within
ten years after Mohammed's death. During this time the Moslem warriors, though
poorly armed, ill-disciplined, and in every battle greatly outnumbered,
attacked with success the two strongest military powers then in the world—Rome
and Persia. From the Roman Empire in the East they seized the provinces of
Syria and Palestine, with the famous cities of Damascus, Antioch, and
Jerusalem. They took Mesopotamia from the Persians and then, invading Iran,
overthrew the Persian power. Egypt also was subjugated by these
irresistible soldiers of the Crescent.
