Introduction

Imagine a Middle East where Islam never spread beyond the Arabian Peninsula. This scenario will significantly alter the religious, political, and economic landscapes. This article will explore the potential outcomes if Orthodox Christianity had indeed become the dominant religion in the region, drawing on historical events and societal structures.

Historical Context and the Roman and Persian Empires

To understand how the Middle East would look today, we must revisit the historical context of the Roman and Persian Empires. The Western Roman Empire and the Persian Empire were the dominant powers in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa during this period.

Roman Empire and Orthodox Christianity

The Roman Empire was predominantly Christian, with many members of the ruling families distancing themselves from the Vatican. Orthodox Christianity emerged as a significant religious force, spreading rapidly across Eastern Europe. This led to ongoing conflicts between the Eastern and Western Roman Empires.

Persian Empire and Zoroastrianism

The Persian Empire, on the other hand, had Zoroastrianism as its main religion, with fire as their emblem. Their citizens were not well-treated, and the empire's wealth was primarily focused on suppressing uprisings rather than advancing science and improving the lives of their citizens. Most of their trade and wealth were concentrated in Mesopotamia.

The Rise of Alexander the Great

When Alexander the Great III of Macedon came to power, he adopted a unique strategy by expanding the Eastern Roman Empire borders towards the east, rather than focusing solely on the Western front. With the help of local allies, such as those in Mesopotamia, he eventually overthrew the Persian Empire and continued his conquests into Iran and parts of Pakistan. His plans included moving the capital from Constantinople (now Istanbul) to Babylon, which provided strategic advantages to all regions.

Spread of Orthodox Christianity

Orthodox Christianity began to spread rapidly due to its appeal and through the support of the Western Roman Empire. However, the spread of this religion would be severely limited by the lack of a major fund for expansion. The Catholic Church saw an opportunity to capitalize on the situation, supporting the spread of Islam to split the Middle East, North Africa, the Caucasus region, and Asia from the control of the Orthodox Church.

Impact on the Middle East

From the perspective of the Western Roman Empire, the rise of Islam was seen as a means to bring chaos to the region, as it was less developed than Orthodox Christianity. However, within a few years, the Islamic Empire began to focus on science, economy, medicine, trades, and education. This led to its rapid spread across the Middle East and even into Europe. The Vatican began to see the Islamic Empire as a new threat and supported various means to divide and conquer it, including the initiation of Crusades when their subtle methods failed.

Conclusion

Despite the similarities between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, their spread in the region was primarily influenced by politics and control. If Islam had never left the Arabian Peninsula, we might see a completely different Middle East dominated by Orthodox Christianity with its own unique cultural, economic, and political dynamics.