1000 The Empires Of Islam
Caliphs in Cairo, Cordoba and Baghdad rend the unity of Islam, but not the prosperity. Gold from Nubia and the Caucasus is mined into dinars, the common currency from Spain to Lahore; and slaves from Asia, Europe and Africa labor in mines, cities, armies and harems from Cadiz to Samarkand. Meanwhile, Europe is still limping out of the Dark Ages.
World Population 300 million
Center of the World Baghdad: Bazaar of world trade; seat of the most prestigious caliphate. Rivals: Constantinople in the Byzantine Empire; Kaifeng in Song dynasty China.
Most Valued Commodities --Gold --Silk --Slaves...