Re: Arab slave import determined history

On Jun 13, 11:17 pm, Michael Siemon <mlsie...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
In article <hv3nrj$3n...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
 Paul J Gans <gan...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:





a...@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
On Jun 12, 3:42 pm, Michael Siemon <mlsie...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
In article <hv0m2s$in...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
 William Black <william.bl...@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

On 12/06/10 11:32, M Winther wrote:

Europe also suffered Mongol invasions.

The Arabs made it to Vienna as well,  but saying Europe suffered Mongol
and Islamic invasions is putting rather strongly.

Turks. Arabs made it north across the Mediterranean to Sicily and Spain.
I suspect (or vaguely recall :-)) raids into mainland Italy as well.
There were sieges of Constantinople, but not (AFAIK) any major thrusts
into its European hinterland.

The obvious question is what would qualify as "European hinterland"?
The Arabs had been very active in the Southern France (pretty much
occupied Acquitane
and penetrated into the Central France as well (Tours).

I don't think that is literally true.  What does seem to be
true is that there were several places where Arab "gangs"
operated, including one nest of pirates.  They lived by
robbery.  I'd not call that controlling or occupying the
region.

As for Tours, that was a raiding party in force (or if you wish,
an intelligence gathering party.)  They were not there for
conquest and had little logistical support.  After being
seen off by Charles Martel, they did not return.

And in any case, this raiding party was mounted from _Spain_ (which
is why I didn't mention it).

As for counting Francia (under Merovingians and early Carolingians!) as
european hinterland of Constantinople:

Sorry, missed "its" in your post.


.