Middle Ages - Islam and Africa

  • 400

    War Breaks Out

    Warfare between the Byzantine and Persian Empires breaks out, interrupting overland trade routes from East Asia.
  • 400

    Routes Move to the Seas

    Because overland routes were taken out by fighting, the silk road became the silk seas.
  • 400

    Route up West Arabian Peninsula

    An overland route up the west Arabian peninsula opens up, to get goods to the Middle East.
  • Period: 400 to

    Islam

  • 401

    Mecca is Official

    Mecca becomes a town along the overland west Arabian peninsula route, along with many other towns.
  • 570

    Mohammed Born

    It was in this year that Mohammed was born.
  • Jan 1, 600

    Islam Appears

    Islam becomes a recognized religion.
  • Jan 1, 622

    Mohammed Flees to Medina

    Fearing his fellow merchants, Mohammed flees to Medina, marking the start of the Muslim calender.
  • Jan 1, 630

    Mohammed Captures Mecca

    In a jihad (holy war), Mohammed captured Mecca.
  • Jan 1, 632

    Mohammed Dies

    It is in this year that Mohammed died.
  • Jan 1, 700

    Islam Larger Than Roman Empire

    Islam is now confirmed to be larger than the Roman Empire.
  • Jan 1, 750

    New Caliphate

    A new family, the Abbasids, took over the caliphate.
  • Period: Jan 1, 750 to Dec 31, 1200

    Kingdom of Ghana

  • Jan 1, 1076

    Kingdom of Ghana Invaded

    The Kingdom of Ghana was invaded by Muslims.
  • Jan 1, 1099

    Christians take Jerusalem

    The Christians capture Jerusalem.
  • Jan 1, 1100

    Muslims fight Christians for Holy Land

    The Muslims are fighting the Christians in a holy war over the holy land.
  • Period: Jan 1, 1240 to Dec 31, 1400

    Kingdom of Mali

  • Jan 1, 1324

    Religious Pilgramage

    Religious Pilgramage to Mecca
  • Period: Jan 1, 1464 to

    Kingdom of Songhai

  • Jan 1, 1500

    Benin Slave Trading

    By the early 16th centure, Benin was involved in trading slaves.
  • West Africa Invaded

    The Emperor of Moracco invaded West Africa to get Songhai's wealth.
  • Independant Cities Arise

    In the 10th century, a number of city-states arose.