I.  Founding Fathers

• What was the relationship between Abraham and Arabia, particularly Mecca, according to Muslim tradition?
• Who were the "Founding Fathers?" Founding what? Fathers of whom?

2.  Colonial Era in Arabia

• How important were the Christian and Jewish communities in Arabia
• What role did Abyssinia play in Arab history in the period before Muhammad?

3.  The Arabic Oikoumene [know what "Oikoumene" refers to]

• Compare Persian to early Roman interests in Arabia
• Be able to compare Patricia Crone's views of Mecca with those provided by Peters in this chapter and the next

4.  The Family and City of Muhammad

• How did the Meccans organize use of the Ka'ba before Muhammad and Islam?

5.  The Gods and the Shrine

• What was "The Era of Ignorance" and how did Muslims explain it?

6.  A Prophet at Mecca

• How did Muhammad become a 'prophet?'  And what did that mean in 7th century c.e. Mecca?

7.  The Migration to Medina

• Why did Muhammad move to Medina?  What was the move's significance for the Muslim community?

8.  The City of the Prophet?

• What did Muhammad do in Yathrib/Medina?  How do we know? For the future Islamic world, why are Muhammad's activities in Medina important?

9-11.  Last three chapters

• How did Muhammad conquer Mecca
• What was the Islamic community at Muhammad's death? - size, shape, institutions, leadership?