Arab culture as it stands today developed from central Arabia during a time when the international superpowers (Byzantines and the Sassanids) were highly interested in Arabia Felix (today's Yemen) - There were three major inputs into the Arab civilization: Greco-Roman/Persian influence, Monotheism, and ...
Professor S: So what is the third element?
Student 1: Oil!
Professor S: No that's later
Student 1: (shocked and in disbelief) Are you saying oil is not important?
Professor S: (Taken aback) No it is, but it's not an element of the Arab civilization
Student 1: (standoffish) ... But it is important, yes?
Professor S: It is later... You guys are forgetting that the indigenous Arab culture... It is the most obvious one...
