fourth–sixth century
¶ Arabia involved in conflicts between Rome/
Byzantium and Persia.
sixth–seventh century
¶ Quraysh tribe rises to prominence in Mecca.
570?
¶ Birth of Muhammad ibn Abd Allah in Mecca.
610
¶ Muhammad receives first revelation at Mt. Hira,
near Mecca, and begins career as a prophet.
622
¶ The year of the Hijra: Muhammad and the Mus-
lims migrate from Mecca to Medina.
630
¶ Muhammad wins control of Mecca.
632
¶ Death of Muhammad; death of Fatima, his
daughter; election of Abu Bakr as first caliph.
634
¶ Death of Abu Bakr.635
¶ Conquest of Damascus.636
¶ Battle of Qadisiyya: Arab army decisively defeats
Persian army in Iraq637
¶ Conquest of Syria and the fall of Jerusalem.640
¶ Conquest of Persia.642
¶ Conquest of Egypt; foundation of Fustat (later
part of Cairo).644
¶ Death of Umar ibn al-Khattab, second caliph.xxxvii