1. Expansion of the Islamic Empire

2. Arabia at the Dawn of Islam
622 CE
Mohammad led small group of followers in Arabia
Arabia was home to competing tribes
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Major Arabian Tribes at Dawn of Islam

3. Expanse of Islamic Empire
By 750 CE, stretched across the Middle East, North Africa and into Spain
Largest empire ever up to that point
More than twice as large as the Roman Empire

4. Islamic Empire & Roman Empire
Umayyad Caliphate in 750 CE
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Right image retrieved from
Roman Empire in 117 CE

5. Central Historical Question
How did the Islamic Empire expand?

6. Expansion of the Islamic Empire
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7. Central Historical Question
How did the Islam spread after the empire declined?