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631
Introduction
By Muhammad’s death, Muslim forces had unified the Arabian Peninsula and created an empire from China through North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula. The Muslim incursion into Europe was facilitated by the decline of the Western Roman Empire. The Muslim invaders had unity in Islam. The conquest was most extensive in Western Europe (Spain and France) but also extended to islands in Mediterranean and southern Italy. Muslim expansion into Eastern Europe prevented by failure to take Constantinople. -
632
Muhammad dies
Prophet Muhammad, founder of Islam, dies in Medina. Muslim world expanding. https://cpnagasaki.wordpress.com/2014/06/08/the-death-of-muhammad-june-8th-632-a-d-known-facts-and-pertinent-questions/ (picture) -
647
Muslim armies begin conquest
Muslim armies begin conquest of what is now North Africa. https://attwiw.com/2014/04/02/islamic-history-part-18-the-conquest-of-iberia-711-759/ (picture) -
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652
First Islamic attacks on Sicily
Conquest continued until 1850
http://www.historyofjihad.org/italy.html (picture) -
674
First Siege of Constantinople
Considered a key European city as well as gateway to Eastern Europe. "Greek Fire” repelled the Muslim invaders. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantinople (picture) -
708
Tangier (Morocco)
Tangier was the gateway between Africa and Europe- firmly under Muslim control. Conquest of North America now complete. http://www.worldatlas.com/af/ma/01/where-is-tangier.html (picture) -
711
Muslim forces commanded
Muslim forces commanded by Tariq Ibn Ziyad cross into Iberian Peninsula. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iberian_Peninsula (picture) -
711
Decisive victory at Battle of Guadelete
Decisive victory for Muslim forces at Battle of Guadelete against King of Christian Visigoths, Roderick. Opens Iberian Peninsula to Islamic expansion. (711 or 712 AD) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Guadalete (picture) -
711
Ziyad reinforced by his superior, Musa Ibn Nusair
With about 10-20,000 men the Muslims conquered the rest of Hispanic, crossed the Pyrenees, and were poised to enter Septimania and Provence (modern-day France). (711-717 AD) https://www.pinterest.com/pin/404127766532669221/ (picture) -
717
Muslim advance into France begins
Septimania region (southwestern France) is conquered. Islamic forces pick off the small kingdoms of the area one by one. http://www.historyofjihad.org/france.html (picture) -
717
Second Siege of Constantinople
Muslim land and sea forces decisively defeated, once again by deployment of “Greek Fire” against their fleet, thus keeping Constantinople open for reinforcement from the sea. Victory postponed Muslim advance into southeast Europe for centuries. (717-718 AD) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Constantinople_(717–718) (picture) -
732
Battle of Poitiers (also widely known as Battle of Tours)
Muslim advance northward stopped by victory of Franks under Charles Martel. Significant in that stopped Muslim advance into Europe. Europe remained a Christian area. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tours (picture) -
732
Removing Muslim invaders from Gaul
Martel, his son, and grandson, Charlemagne began the process of removing Muslim invaders from Gaul (France) and Hispania (Spain and Portugal). This ends Muslim invasion of Western Europe.
(Post 732 AD) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Martel (picture) -
820
Conquer island of Crete
Muslim forces conquer island of Crete. http://ffcgrow.com/getting-to-know-the-island-of-crete/ (picture) -
846
Raid and Burn Rome
Muslim forces raid and burn Rome. http://www.history.com/news/6-infamous-sacks-of-rome (picture) -
847
Conquer Southern Italy
Muslim force conquer southern Italy and remain for 25 years. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Islam_in_southern_Italy (picture) -
902
Conquest of Sicily
Muslim forces complete conquest of Sicily. Remained under Muslim control until 11th century when the Normans conquered and drove out the Muslims. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Sicily (picture)
