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Ask me when I've finished the book on Middle East history I'm currently reading. :)
At the time of the Prophet, Yeman and Hijaz were client states, chess pieces in the continuing battle between the Byzantine Romans and the Sasanid Persians over control of the spice routes to India. There was a strong current of religious creativity as Zorastrian, Jewish, Christian and local traditions contended.
Early conquests came quickly. The was a high degree of religious tolerance (except when there wasn't), and relatively low taxation - minorities were usually better off under the Caliphs than they had previously been. Some of the most fervent warriors who extended the Islamic conquest came from defeated populations - the Berbers of North Africe being one notable example.
What are the analogies that you see with the Lunars?
Cheers
John
Do you have a body? Don't sit on the porch! Go out and walk in the rain!
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