In the seventh century C.E., in Arabia, the prophet Muhammad started a new religion, called Islam. The religion spread rapidly throughout western Asia.
Around 642 C.E., Islamic Arabs defeated the Sassanians and took control of Persia. Soon, Islam replaced Zoroastrianism as the religion of Persia. However, while Islam changed Persia, contact with Persian culture had an effect on Islam, which was enriched by Persian art and poetry. Indeed, ancient Persia left a legacy for the whole world to enjoy.
