Pre-Muslim+Influence

Civilization/Nation/Group: Arabia before Islam Time Period: 500 – 600 CE
 * E || Trading occured in Mecca as it was the city of the religious site, assuring peace.
 * Bedouin economy was based on camel and goat herding
 * Mecca was a trading center, the Kabah, would provide a safe trading environment.
 * Women also took part in trading. ||
 * S || ﻿Bedouin tribes were nomadic as they had to constantly look for water.
 * Bedouin herders lived in clan groups made up of mostly family.
 * Women had significant freedom but were not equal to men.
 * Poetry would serve a similar purpose as it had in Greece. ||
 * P || * Shaykhs led the clans but the people in the clan could also participate in discussions and in decisions. ||
 * I || Most interactions between different tribes were based on retaliation.
 * Wars broke out between clans usually due to issues with water
 * Wars started easily; usually when one clan felt insulted ||
 * R || ﻿The different religions would provide the momentary peace for merchants to trade.
 * City of Mecca had the Kabah which was a shrine with icons of Gods.
 * Clans were polytheistic
 * It is thought that some clans didn’t even take their gods seriously ||
 * I || * **Umayyad** clan of the **Quraysh** Bedouin tribe founded **Mecca**
 * Poetry was the main way to provide a culture and tell stories. ||
 * T || Due to the fact that the Bedouin tribes were in constant warfare and always moving around, there wasn't much development of technology. ||