Originally published at National Review Online.
Yesterday, August 15, marks the anniversary of
Constantinople’s victory over Muslim invaders in what historians commonly call
the “Second Siege of Byzantium,” 717–18. Prior to this massive onslaught, the
Muslims had been hacking away at the domains of the Byzantine empire for nearly
a century. The Muslims’ ultimate goal was the conquest of Constantinople — for
both political and religious reasons.
Politically, Islam had no rival but the “hated
Christians” of Byzantium, known by various appellations — including al-Rum
(the Romans), al-Nassara (the Nazarenes), and, most notoriously, al-Kilab
(the “dogs”). The eastern Sasanian Empire had already been vanquished, and
Persia subsumed into the caliphate. Only the “worshippers of the cross” — as
they were, and still are, disparagingly known — were left as contenders over
the eastern Mediterranean basin….To Read More….
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