[csomar]

> The repeated blows, followed by plague, plunged Europe into economic stagnation that lasted until 640.

Islam first appeared on 610. I wonder if these events had any effects on that.

[alejohausner]

Definitely! The Byzantine and Parthian empires had just fought a long war, and were very weak. That left the near East easy pickings for the Muslim invaders coming up from the Hejaz.