My Dad is super into Ancestry.com right now. He sent in a DNA sample to get his genetics. It turns out that we're part Russian (from the Northwest by Scandinavia). So, I've been reading a little Russian history.
Vladamir the Great's father was from Scandinavia, but was forced to flee to the south. Of the princes, Vladamir won out and conquered what would become the Kievan realm in around 1000 AD (from which sprung the nation of Russia). So, Vladamir wants to convert his pagan subjects to monotheism, because he thinks that is what modern countries do. He sends emissaries around the world to shop for religion. The reps that head west are not too impressed by Catholicism, and Vladamir doesn't like how much authority the Pope has. The dudes that go to Constantinople are impressed by the Eastern Byzantine church, but again, their Pope has a lot of authority. Vlad didn't like Judaism because he felt their dispersal amounted to weakness. The Muslims had no Pope and were strong in power, and Vlad would have chosen Islam but for one or two deal breakers. They don't allow drinking. If not for that, Russia would be Islamic today.
It's bleak in the Russian winter. They need their vodka, and they also enjoy a bit of ham hock in their borscht.
There were several pre-Crusades Muslim conquests in Europe, mostly Italy, Spain and France. Islam couldn't grab a foothold. I have to think that part of the reason is that Italians, Spanish and Francs love their wine. It was booze that kept Islam out of Europe back then.
Vladamir the Great's father was from Scandinavia, but was forced to flee to the south. Of the princes, Vladamir won out and conquered what would become the Kievan realm in around 1000 AD (from which sprung the nation of Russia). So, Vladamir wants to convert his pagan subjects to monotheism, because he thinks that is what modern countries do. He sends emissaries around the world to shop for religion. The reps that head west are not too impressed by Catholicism, and Vladamir doesn't like how much authority the Pope has. The dudes that go to Constantinople are impressed by the Eastern Byzantine church, but again, their Pope has a lot of authority. Vlad didn't like Judaism because he felt their dispersal amounted to weakness. The Muslims had no Pope and were strong in power, and Vlad would have chosen Islam but for one or two deal breakers. They don't allow drinking. If not for that, Russia would be Islamic today.
It's bleak in the Russian winter. They need their vodka, and they also enjoy a bit of ham hock in their borscht.
There were several pre-Crusades Muslim conquests in Europe, mostly Italy, Spain and France. Islam couldn't grab a foothold. I have to think that part of the reason is that Italians, Spanish and Francs love their wine. It was booze that kept Islam out of Europe back then.