Byzantine and Islamic Difference and Similarities in Trade and Military

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While there are several attributes that contributed to the rise of both empires, the two empires were more significantly impacted by military forces as well as trade. Military forces in the Byzantine Empire were very strong and well put together. The empires impressively strong military and navy defended the capital Constantinople, which helped in the development of a strong empire, this was necessary because the empire was constantly being invaded by outsiders; these invasions lead into back and forth wars that unfortunately lead up the Byzantine Empire shrinking in size. Meaning the Byzantine Empire used military sources as more of a defense/survival tactic more than anything else. Because of Byzantines shrunk size, they had a smaller but more tightly centralized government and rule that lead to a better economy. Byzantines trade mainly occurred under the city of Constantinople, a major site of crafts and industry that greatly influenced the rise of the Byzantine Empire, items such as silver, gold, jewelry, gems, textiles, linens and glass were traded, and silk, one of the major contributors that developed into a major industry. Because of Byzantines amazing trade system trade routes such as the Western Anchor were able to revive routes such as the silk road, allowing for banks and partnerships to be supported through a commercial economy. Now as where the Islamic Empire’s military strength was well integrated with the rise of the empire, its strength was used very differently. During the rise of the Islamic Empire, Muhammad used his military power to conquer places such as Mecca, dominating to spread out his beliefs and religious views, making their military more offensive then defensive. Soon after Muhammad’s death the empire had trouble finding a new leader which resulted in administrative conflict which created two different factions (Shia) (Sunni) who went on

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