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ARABS Their numerous tribes were unified by Mahomet and, under the religious ideal of holy war, they extended throughout the North of Africa, penetrating into Europe via Spain up to the banks of the Loire, and into Asia to beyond the Indus. Their civil and religious chiefs were the caliphs, whose unity was maintained until the 10th century (Abasidas and Omeyas). From the 13th century the Arab Empire started to crumble under the pressure of the Islamic Turks. They assimilated Greek and oriental cultures, which enriched them in many aspects, and transmitted them to Europe, especially via the Jews established in Spain. |
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