The Rise of Islam

Arabia and Its Neighbors

Arabian Landscape

Early Islamic Expansion

The Ka'aba in Mecca: holiest shrine of Islam

The Qur'an:  the Word of God revealed to Muhammad

The Night Journey: Muhammad taken by angels to Jerusalem
(Note:  The Prophet's face is not represented)

The Word as Art:  Islamic Calligraphy

Jerusalem:  A third religion now lays claim to the holy city!

Dome of the Rock, built on the Temple Mount in the late seventh century

Dome of the Rock (interior)

Inscription inside the Dome:
"There is no God but God; Muhammad is his Prophet.
Jesus is also his Prophet, but God has no son; He neither Begets nor is Begotten"

So who inherits the legacy of classical Civilization?
 

The Byzantine Empire:  Hagia Sophia in Constantinople

Islamic civilization incorporating some classical tradition:  Mosaic facade of the Umayyad palace in Damascus

Islamic Coinage:  dinar of Abd al-Malik

An Arabic manuscript of Galen

The Great Mosque of Damascus in Syria