In what ways were diverse people from the Arabian Peninsula through the Middle East, North Africa, and into Spain united? What held them together and unified them, and how was this done? The time zone was between 500 to 700 CE.

If your time period was between 700 and 900, then it would be the spread of Islam by conquering these lands.

http://www.yale.edu/yup/pdf/cim6.pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moors

To understand how diverse people from the Arabian Peninsula through the Middle East, North Africa, and into Spain were united between 500 to 700 CE, we need to examine the political, cultural, and religious factors that played a role in their unity.

1. Islamic Religion: The rise of Islam in the 7th century CE played a significant role in unifying diverse people across this vast region. The Islamic faith spread rapidly, uniting various communities under a common religious framework. The growing number of Muslims, who followed the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, established a common identity and created a sense of belonging. The spread of Islam facilitated trade, communication, and interaction among different regions.

2. Arabic Language and Script: Arabic became a language of intellectual, literary, and religious significance during this period. The Arabic language and script acted as a unifying factor across diverse populations. People who adopted Arabic as their language of communication developed a stronger sense of cultural unity, which was further reinforced by the spread of Islamic education and the writing of religious texts in Arabic.

3. Caliphate System: The caliphate, a form of Islamic governance, played a crucial role in providing political unity throughout the region. After the death of Prophet Muhammad, a succession of four caliphs led the growing Islamic state. The caliphate system established a central authority that governed the affairs of the Muslim territories, ensuring a degree of political cohesion and stability.

4. Trade Networks: Extensive trade networks, such as the Silk Road, facilitated economic interactions and cultural exchange between regions. These trade routes connected diverse communities and fostered mutual understanding, interdependence, and the exchange of ideas and technologies.

5. Shared History and Knowledge: The Middle East and North Africa have a long history of pre-Islamic civilizations, such as the Roman Empire, Persian Empire, and Byzantine Empire. The region had witnessed the rise and fall of various empires, leading to shared historical experiences. This shared history played a role in fostering a sense of collective identity and unity among the diverse populations.

In summary, the diverse people of the Arabian Peninsula through the Middle East, North Africa, and into Spain were united through the spread of Islam, the Arabic language, the caliphate system, trade networks, and a shared history. These factors provided a common framework for political, cultural, and religious unity, promoting interaction, cooperation, and exchange among different regions.