 Born near Mecca ca. 570  Orphaned early, raised by uncle, camel driver.  Married a wealthy older widow. Had six children but all but one (Fatima, daughter) died.  Secluded himself for a life of prayer, but was unimpressed with the Pagan worship of the area. The cave was Hi’ra near Mecca  Announced around 612 that he was visited by Archangel Gabriel in his cave and recited the exact words he was given into the Qu’ran.

 The speed with which Islam spread was historic.  While Moslems were very skilled militarily, their success was not always accomplished at the point of the sword.  What happens when competing faiths sincerely believe they owe it to society to spread their good news?

 Much of the eastern Christian world became predominately Moslem within 100 years.  Both military prowess and authentic conversions played roles.  Charles Martel’s defense of France and Byzantine’s of her empire were the checks on expansion.

 There were actually hundreds of years of tolerance in the newly claimed Islamic lands.  A breakaway group moving into present day Persia/Iran took control of much of the east.  Seljuk Turks  The Seljuk Turks continued assuming power from other Moslems and consolidating power.  They showed much less toleration for non-moslems  They had designs on the Byzantine Empire and in 1071, dealt them a devastating defeat at the battle of Manzikert.

 Byzantine Army is divided by Emperor and ordered to frontier (Manzikert)  One half never makes it, the other which includes the emperor is defeated and the emperor captured.  Emperor agrees to annex much of his empire

 Byzantine was an important buffer for Europe.  What do you do when your flank suddenly starts to disappear?  Seljuks were also taking territory from other Moslems and proving to be much less tolerant of Christians.  How do you respond to an apparently aggressive threat?  Compare 1930’s Europe and United States.

 From a purely practical point-of-view, many military leaders of today would agree with the response of the West.  An ally was threatened and seemed incapable of defending itself.  Fellow Christians in the east were being persecuted under the new regimes of the Seljuks.  Europe was very disjointed in leadership and fighting defensive battles would be difficult.  As we will see, however, the goals which were often noble, were subject to the flaws, pride, ego, and greed of many individuals.