The revelations of Muhammad form the basis of the Islamic religion, a monotheistic faith. Muhammad and his followers spread Islam. 

Islamic traditions and practices developed over centuries and created a distinctive culture. 

Major historical turning points marked the spread and influence of Islamic civilization.

In the first three centuries after Muhammad’s death, Muslim rule expanded rapidly, overcoming geographic barriers, facilitated by weakened political empires.

Political unity and the Arabic language facilitated trade and stimulated intellectual activity.

Early Islamic civilization was characterized by achievements in science and the arts that transformed the Islamic world and had a major global impact.

 The capital of the Eastern Roman Empire was established at Constantinople to provide political, economic, and military advantages. We also discuss the connection to Russia. 

 The Roman Republic, in the face of changing social and economic conditions, succumbed to civil war and was replaced by an imperial regime, the Roman Empire. 

Over a 300-year period, the western part of the Roman Empire steadily declined because of internal and external problems. 

Although women, most aliens (non-Romans living in the Republic), and slaves were excluded from the governing process, the Roman Republic made major strides in the development of representative democracy, which became a model for modern democracy.

The followers of Jesus spread Christianity throughout the Roman Empire, presenting a powerful challenge to Roman polytheism.