The Pre-Islamic Middle East

I. Introduction

Unity and Division Pre-Islamic Arabia

II. The Greek Middle East

A. Alexander the Great (r. 336-323 B.C.E.)

B. The Hellenistic Kingdoms

III. The Roman and Persian Middle East

A. The Persian Empire1. Parthian Dynasty (247 B.C.E.-224 C.E.)

2. Sassanid Dynasty (224 C.E.-651 C.E.)

III. The Roman and Persian Middle East

B. The Roman Middle East1. The Roman Conquest

2. Pax Romana

III. The Roman and Persian Middle East

3. Roman Administrationa. The Jewish Revolt

b. The Diaspora

D. The Long Peace (384 C.E.)1. Jahiliyya (The Age of Ignorance)

IV. The Byzantine Empire

A. Division of the Roman Empire1. Constantinople (330)

2. Fall of the West (476)

IV. The Byzantine Empire

B. Justinian and the Revival of the Eastern Empire (r. 527-565)

1. The Reconquest of the West

2. Results

IV. The Byzantine Empire

C. War with Persia (602-627)1. Heraclius (r. 610-641)

V. Pre-Islamic Arabia

A. Bedouins

B. Religion

C. Trade and Mecca

Fall of the Roman Empire

The Byzantine Empire

Hagia Sophia

Justinian

VII. Conclusion

• Trouble in Paradise