The Rapid Expansion of the Arab Caliphate

The Arab Caliphate conquered two-thirds of the known world in just one century, making it the fastest

territorial expansion in human history. Most people think the Roman Empire was unstoppable,

but the Arabs proved them wrong. Starting in 632 AD, Muslim armies swept

through the Middle East, North Africa, and Spain at lightning speed.

Here's why they succeeded where others failed. First, they had superior

military tactics. While Byzantine and Persian armies were heavy and slow, Arab forces were

mobile cavalry units that could strike fast and retreat faster. Second,

they offered religious tolerance to conquered peoples. Christians and Jews kept their faiths