Benchmark Review

Founders of the American document called the Constitution took the idea of a three part government (tripartite) from the Roman system of government.

1. Male citizens had to serve in the army. 2. Citizens had to pay taxes.

Citizenship gave Romansvaluable rights.

Although the people of the Byzantine Empire considered themselves Roman, the East was influenced by Greek culture, rather than the Latin of the West. People spoke Greek and wore Greek-styled clothing.

Constantinople became a very rich city and help the Byzantine Empire become rich. Constantinople was the center of trade between Africa, Europe, and Asia.

The messages that Muhammad received from God are in the holy book called the KoranQur'an.

The Sunnah is a holy book based on the life of Muhammad.

According to Islamic tradition, Abraham is considered of the three Abrahamic religions, and he built the Kaaba in Mecca.

Muslims face Mecca when they pray because it is the location of the Kaaba.

Although the poor people of Mecca welcomed the teachings of Muhammad, the wealthy merchants felt threatened and rejected the teachings of Muhammad.

"People of the book" is a term that Muslims use to describe three religions: Jews, Christians, and Muslims. All three religions have Abraham as a central figure.

Jews and Christians were treated as "people of the book." Although they had to pay a special tax, they were tolerated.

The five pillars of Islam are the testimony of faith, prayer 5 times a day, giving to the poor, fasting during the month of Ramadan, and Hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime. These are the basic duties of every Muslim or the framework of their faith.

Mosques had decorative writing instead of pictures of Muhammad or animals, because Muslims believed that only God was the creator. People were not supposed to pretend to be God.

The Arabic language spread as Islam spread. Most of the people conquered by the Muslims adopted the Arabic language.