The Rise of Islam Quiz

The Rise of Islam in World Civilizations and Cultures

• Islam is the most recent of the world religions and dominated the Middle Ages
• It originated in the teachings of prophet Muhammad, who received a series of revelations recorded in the Koran
• Islam drew from Judaism and to a lesser extent, Christianity
• The Koran asserts that Muhammad is the last of a line of prophets including Adam, Abraham, Noah, Moses, and Jesus
• The West Asian region was dominated by the Byzantine (Graeco-Roman) and Sassanian Empires, constantly at war with each other
• The Byzantine Empire was Christian, while the Sassanian Empire was Zoroastrian
• Iranians followed various religions including Christianity, Manichaeism, and Buddhism
• In Iraq, Judaism and Christianity were prominent
• The Byzantine and Sassanian Empires extended from Central Asia to Southern Spain
• Differences in religious basis and constant war characterized the two superpowers
• The birth of Islam occurred during a time of significant geopolitical and religious dynamics in the West Asian region
• The rise of Islam marked a significant shift in the religious landscape of the Middle Ages