Subject:
Chapter 9: The Sasanid Empire and the Rise of Islam, 200-1200 1. Introduction a. The meaning of Muhammad?s blessing of Ali b. A division within the Muslim community c. Islam and Empire 2. The Sasanid Empire 224-651 a. Politics and Society i. Both Sasanids and Byzantines used Arabs to protect their empires from invasion ii. Rivalry and trade between Sasanid and Byzantine Empire iii. Arab role and prosperity iv. Aristocratic rule and stability b. Religion and Empire i. Zoroastrianism established as the state religion ii. Christians became pawns in the political rivalry with Byzantines iii. Manichaeism iv. The politicizing of religion 3. The Origins of Islam a. The Arabian Peninsula before Muhammad i. Life in the southern regions of the peninsula ii. Caravan trading iii. Mecca
