Assignment One: Factors that Shaped the Pre-Islamic Region
There were many different factors that affected the diversity and relationships among the people in the per-Islamic region. Some of those factors include geography, politics, and religion. All three aspects were interconnected and helped shape the pre-Islamic socio-historical landscape. Geography was the main element that brought and shaped the other two factors; politics and religion. The Arabian Peninsula had unique land features; there were dry and hot deserts, fertile and green land, and bodies of water that surrounded the peninsula. The diverse features of the peninsula made it possible for people to travel and trade. Whether it was by land or by sea, people traveled in envoys…show more content… There were farmers; who grew crops and vegetation, nomads; who herded animals, and townspeople; who provided other necessities. All three groups depended on each other and they tended to be near one another in terms of location (Ochsenwald 8). The farmers were located at the Arabia Felix, which was the fertile region for growing vegetation. The nomads tended to wander with their herds of animals near the deserts and when they needed resources they would head back toward the Arabia Felix to trade. The geography of the land gathered people together and made them interact and trade with each other.
People in groups began to learn how to domesticate animals and collect their own resources which then helped strengthen and cultivate their society. These traits led people to settle down and build towns and wall barriers. When towns were built, power systems were established and set in order and provided safety. Religion was also involved in politics; the idea of punishing a person if they did something to displease the gods was put in their law system. Many of the rules set on the people were derived from religious…show more content… “Each group added something in religion, the art of writing, metallurgical skills, political organizations, transportation, irrigation…” (Ochsenwald 11).Religion was one of the major ways that connected and brought people together. Monotheism only became well known and widespread in the Arabian Peninsula during the Prophet’s time when he introduced Islam. Although Islam became the leading religion in the Arabian Peninsula, it wasn’t always like that. It took time and effort for the people to consider and accept Islam. But before that happened, monotheism was practiced by a minority (like the Jews) and it wasn’t popular around areas like