Empire 294. Gaza & The Islamic Conquest (Part 4)
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Sep 29, 2025 Peter Sarris, a Professor at the University of Cambridge specializing in Late Antique and Byzantine Studies, explores the Arab conquest of Gaza in the seventh century. He delves into the pivotal role of Amr ibn al-As and the unexpected ambush of the Byzantines at Gaza. Sarris reveals the concept of an 'invisible conquest,' where local structures and languages persisted despite the upheaval. The discussion also touches on early Islamic perceptions among locals, limited mass conversions, and how the region's economy thrived under early Islamic rule despite shifting political landscapes.
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Origins And Rapid Expansion Of Islam
- Islam rapidly united Arabian tribes under Muhammad then expanded militarily from the 630s into former Roman and Persian lands.
- The Ummah's expansion filled power vacuums left by Roman-Persian conflict and reshaped Near Eastern politics.
Early Battle Near Gaza Recorded In Syriac
- Syriac and later sources report a battle east of Gaza where Roman forces fled and left their commander dead.
- A Syriac source c.640 explicitly names Muhammad and describes the brutal raids that followed near Gaza.
Frontier Clients Enabled Fast Conquest
- Local Arab forces already served as frontier clients for Rome and Persia and could easily defect to the new Muslim movement.
- The Roman military presence in Syria-Palestine was often nominal, relying on local levies vulnerable to defection.
