Historical context: Both Islam and Christianity will preserve the heritage
Of the classical civilizations, both will actively prostheyetize along
Empires, trade routes and appeal to the masses (universalizing). Christianity’s
Stronghold will be predominantly Europe (West and East) while Islam will extend
To Africa, South/SE Asia and Southern Spain. You may choose specific regions or the totality of areas covered by these
Religions.
Comparing Post-Classical Dar Al Islam and Christendom
In the post-classical world (600-1450) both Islam and Christianity will be state
sponsored theocracies (Caliphate/Ceasaropapism), both will spread along trade
routes, however, the wider appeal of Islam will transcend regions because of the
tolerance of other cultures whilst the Byzantine will find it harder to spread past its
borders (Russian exception) as their intolerance of other cultures weaken its central
authority.
In the Post Classical world both Islam and Christendom will lead through laws
(Shariah and Cannon), both will come into contact with each other in a struggle to
maintain the holy land (Jerusalem), however, Islam will develop intellectual and
artistic achievements illustrative of a “Golden Age” while the illiteracy and feudal
decentralized vulnerabilities of Western Europe will usher in a post-Roman “Dark
Ages”
Similarities
• Political: Both will be theocratic ( Caliphates vs.
Caesaropapism in Byzantine Empire) both will have
schisms based on succession ( sunni-shiite vs. Roman
Catholic- Eastern Orthodox) both have laws which
guide daily life ( Sharia for Islam, Cannon for Roman
Catholicism, Justinian’s Code for Byzantium)
Differences
•
Political: Feudal Europe after the fall of Rome was decentralized
while the Abbasid Caliphate was centralized. There were slight
distinctions between religion and politics in both Byzantine and
Feudal Europe while there were absolutely none in Islam. Islam was
tolerant of other faiths granting Dhimmi (people of the book) status to
Christians and Jews while Europe (both Byzantine and Feudal Europe)
were absolutely intolerant of other faiths
Similarities
• Economic: Both the Byzantine Empire and Islamic
Caliphates were located and spread their faiths
along overland and maritime trade routes. Christian
and Islamic faiths professed to provide economic
assistance to the poor. Wealth derived through
trade would help build monumental religious
architecture and facilitate Golden Ages
Differences
• Economic: Roman Catholic Church encouraged
isolation and vows of poverty “ blessed are the
poor” while Islam’s merchant background (
Muhammad was a merchant) encouraged trade
as a way to help the needy. Islam had a more
global appeal and spread more quickly across
trade routes into Afro-Eurasia while Christianity
would maintain its primary influence in Europe,
Similarities
• Cultural: Both Christianity and Islam were born as Abrahamic faiths preaching
ethical monotheism and a strong faith in salvation for saints and damnation for sinners.
Both spread through trade routes (Eastern Orthodox to Russia through Black Sea and
Islam across Sahara, Silk Routes and Indian Ocean) Both will justify protection of the faith
through wars (Crusades) and establish monumental architecture ( mosques, Hagia Sofia,
Gothic Cathedrals)
Differences
• Cultural: At times, both will see their respective faiths as the one true
(ethnocentrically identifying the others as ”infidels”). The “Golden Age” of
Islam under the Abbasid Caliphate will usher in a Pax Islamic and era of
prosperity while the Byzantine will fragment and Feudal Europe was in the
“Dark Ages”: a period of regional isolation and stagnation. Islam will
encourage literacy and preserve Greco-Roman-Indian-Persian ideas where
Feudal Europe will grow increasingly illiterate