1. The Pre-Islamic Middle East

2. I.Introduction  Unity and Division  Pre-Islamic Arabia

3. II.The Greek Middle East A.Alexander the Great (r. 336-323 B.C.E.) B.The Hellenistic Kingdoms

4. III.The Roman and Persian Middle East A.The Persian Empire 1.Parthian Dynasty (247 B.C.E.-224 C.E.) 2.Sassanid Dynasty (224 C.E.-651 C.E.)

5. III.The Roman and Persian Middle East B.The Roman Middle East 1.The Roman Conquest 2.Pax Romana

6. III.The Roman and Persian Middle East 3.Roman Administration a.The Jewish Revolt b.The Diaspora D.The Long Peace (384 C.E.) 1.Jahiliyya (The Age of Ignorance)

7. IV.The Byzantine Empire A.Division of the Roman Empire 1.Constantinople (330) 2.Fall of the West (476)

8. IV.The Byzantine Empire B. Justinian and the Revival of the Eastern Empire (r. 527-565) 1.The Reconquest of the West 2.Results

9. IV.The Byzantine Empire C.War with Persia (602-627) 1.Heraclius (r. 610-641)

10. V.Pre-Islamic Arabia A.Bedouins B.Religion C.Trade and Mecca

11. Fall of the Roman Empire

12. The Byzantine Empire

13. Hagia Sophia

14. Justinian

15. VII. Conclusion Trouble in Paradise