islamic origins: muhammad's life and arabian peninsula

what is the geographical characterisitc of the arabian peninsula

dry with no permanent river and humid areas

who were the bedouins

roving nomadic people with kinrelated clan groups

waht was the social structure of the bedouin calans

strong dependence on loyalty to one’s family with elder advisers elected as shaykhas

what were the major cities in early arabian civilization

medina and mecca

why was there little art or architecture among the bedouins

they moved around frequently and were too busy for art

how was poetry transmitted in bedouin culture

it was composed and transmitted orally due to the lack of a written language

what was the nature of bedouin religion

a blend of animism and polytheism, worshiping many gods and goddesses

what significant life events shaped muhammads early life

loss of father before birth and loss of mother shortly after

what empires influenced muhammads surroundings

the byzantine and sasanian(persian) empires

what was muhammads occupation before his revelations

he was educated as a mercahnt and worked on caravan routes

what significant event occured in 610 c.e. in muhammads life

he received his first vision from gabriel

what became of the revelation muhammad received

they became the qur’an