Two major empires in the area at this time: Persian and Byzantine - Persian culture and power goes far back into Biblical times, even before Cyrus the Great (islamiclearningmaterials.com/gogandmagog) - Once conquered by Alexander the Great - Went through several dynastic changes - Sassanid Empire was the last non-Muslim Persian dynasty - Came into power 400 years before Prophet's birth - By the time Prophet was in Medina, Sassanid Empire was going through political turmoil and very weak Continue reading...