The Arab Conquest and the Byzantine Legacy

By the early seventh century CE, the land of Palestine had been under Byzantine Roman rule for centuries. As part of the Diocese of the East, it was a diverse region with significant Christian, Jewish, and Samaritan populations. Cities like Jerusalem, Caesarea, and Gaza thrived under Byzantine administration, serving as important centers of commerce and religious life. The Byzantine state maintained a structured bureaucracy and military presence throughout the province.

However, the Byzantine Empire was significantly weakened by prolonged conflicts, particularly its exhaustive wars with the Sasanian Persian Empire. These conflicts drained resources and left frontier regions vulnerable. Palestine, having been briefly occupied by the Sasanians in the early 7th century, had only recently been reincorporated into the Byzantine realm. This period of instability had disrupted local life and potentially eroded some imperial control.