3^4 Outlines of European History Slaves ]3ermits a man to have as many as four wives, but in practice only the men of the richer classes have more than one. For a woman to attempt to escape from the harem is a crime punish- able with death. Sometimes the women seem to lead pleasant lives, but, for the most part, their existence is very monotonous.^ Slaves are very common in Mohammedan countries, but once they are freed they are as good as any one else and may then hold the highest places in the government. Section 59. Conquests of the Mohammedans THE Caliphate The Arabs' conquests. Caliphs at Damascus Caliphs at Bagdad Mohammed had occupied the position of pope and king combined, and his successors, who took the title of caliph (which means " successor " or " representative "), were regarded as the absolute rulers of the Mohammedans. Their word was law in both religious and worldly matters. Mohammed's father- in-law was the first caliph. His successor, Omar (634-644), led the Arabs forth to conquer Syria, Egypt, and the great empire of Persia. The capital of the caliphate was then transferred from Medina to Damascus, which occupied a far better position for governing the new realms. Although the Mohammedans were constantly fighting among themselves, they succeeded in extending their territory so as to include Asia Minor and the northern coast of Africa. A great part of the people whom they conquered accepted the new religion of the prophet. Something over a hundred years after Mohammed's death a new line of caliphs came into power and established (762) a new capital on the river Tigris near the site of ancient Babylon. This new city of Bagdad became famous for its wealth, magnifi- cence, and learning. It was five miles across and at one time is supposed to have had two millions of inhabitants. In the 1 The colored plate (opp. p. 362) shows the minarets of a great mosque in Cairo. One can also see the gratings of the upper stories of the houses, through which the women can look out of their harem without being seen from the street.
