1. The Origins & Expansion of Islam
Chapter 11
The Origins & Expansion of Islam

2. Arabia occupied by Bedouin Arabs
Greek Historian Herodotus gave the name “Arab” to the peninsula area (Arabia) as Rome expanded its empire and the people conquered the “Arabians” as a province.
Roman Times
Arabia occupied by Bedouin Arabs
Tribal leaders called “sheikh” and elected from leading families
Arabs of Pre-Islam were polytheistic
Supreme god was Allah
Symbolized by a sacred stone
(each tribe possessed their own stone, but ALL worshipped a massive black meteorite located in a shrine called the Ka’aba (in Mecca).
Archaeology has provided much evidence of Pre-Islamic worship in Arabia.
As the economy of the region developed, relations between groups shifted and became strained.

3. Please watch the PBS Video – Islam - Empire of Faith
There is a Movie Guide located in Blackboard. Use this as a study guide for information on the life of Muhammad and the rise of Islam.
Link through CPCC Library to Research Database – PBS Live – World History
Empires – Islam Part 1 and 2
You are responsible for the information from the beginning of this video through the information about Cordoba in Spain.

4. In addition to the PBS Video, make sure you know the information on the Study Guide. Much of this is reflected in your textbook reading.
Vocabulary: caliph, imam, Qur’an (Koran), Islam, Hijrah, jihad, pilgrimage