The Rise of Islam and Early Contact with Western Europe Religious beliefs in the Eastern Empire and Persia were in flux during the late 6 th and early 7 th centuries. Judaism was an active proselytising faith, and at least one Arab political leader converted to Judaism. Christianity had active missions competing with the Persian’s Zoroastrianism in seeking converts, … Continue reading The Rise of Islam, Carolingian Europe, New Kingdoms, and a Revived Byzantium