Where two worlds meet and seperate

Where two worlds meet and seperate

Life in Rome doesn’t only compare but it also contrasts to life in Islam. For instance, Rome’s many roads differ from Islam, but they were both bordered by seas which show environmental aspects of Rome and Islam. In other categories like political and religious perspectives, they also were similar and different. For example, the Romans had time of unrest like Islam, but they had different governments at one point too. Rome's and Islam's world not only differed but compared in many ways.

The rise of Rome’s and Islam’s world of prosperity and war took place during different times. However, they both have evident similarities in political areas. Before Rome’s Pax Romana under Augustus’ rule, they had a time of no peace or unrest like Islam. Islam’s time of unease took place “in 656 when a group of rebels overthrew the caliphs” (102.) From this, I can suspect that the poor did not feel connected to the government and felt they needed more freedom or power, so they rebelled and caused discomfort in the empire. This is important since it leads to drastic changes in both of the empire’s history. Without this time of “no peace,” Rome might have stayed as a Republic, and Islam would be ruled by the caliphs and there won't be a civil war between the Shi'a and the Sunnis. In the end, both Islam and Rome shared different similarities in a political view of these two empires.

Rome and Islam’s environmental perspective not only affected what trade routes they had but also how they lived. Since Rome was near the Tiber River and Islam was on the border of many seas, they differed. Saudi Arabia was bordered by seas like the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea (http://www.lib.utexas.edu/) unlike Rome. When Rome was still only the Seven Hills of Rome, in about A.D. 125 (47,) their only source of water was the Tiber River, so they made many roads like the Appian Way for trade and travel. In this case, I can assume that the Romans had more fresh water but their trading routes were limited, unlike the Islamic people who had endless choices of who the trade with and seafood to feed on. The idea shows Islam probably had a strong economy since not only was trade prosperous, but the sea brought food to the empire and there was no need for too many crops. Rome, on the other hand, had to spend endless months to build roads. However, Rome prospered by trading on these roads. In conclusion, the enviormental aspects are important and can affect the whole empire.

Rome (river) Islam(sea)

From a religious point of view, the Islamic people were more tolerant than the Roman people. Although in the Islamic world, if you were a different religion than Muslim, you had to pay extra taxes and couldn’t convert others openly, (96) the Romans were harsher. At one point, they prosecuted all Christians because the officials feared it would overthrow their government. (50.) This shows the Romans were in a time of unease since they had to go through huge measures to make sure the religion was kept under control. The Islamic people on the other hand, had the ability to allow other religions in their empire. This shows whether the officials had enough power or belief in the people they ruled. Also, it shows the Roman officials probably did not know that if they did put too much of restrictions on beliefs, it often led to rebellion. On the other hand, this showed Islam were very religious and they didn’t prosecute other religions because in their Holy Book them to forbid to convert others forcefully. If they were more tolerant because of the holy book or more strict because of fear, they both did not allow different religions without treating other religions differently.

(Qur'an, Islam's Holy Bible)

Although Rome is thought of as more fierce and powerful leaders, both empires have a right to be recognized as equals. Their comparisons and differences did not only make them what they were, but it allowed a connection between the two mighty empires. Their times of unrest and the different traveling systems describe both of the empires clearly. The environmental, political, and religious aspects of Rome and Islam are all important.

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