Civilization and Gender
nThe strong position gained by women through Muhammad’s teachings did not endure.
nLong-established Middle Eastern and Mediterranean male-dominated traditions of the conquered societies eventually prevailed.
nThe historical record in China, India, Greece, and the Middle East appears to make a connection between political centralization, urbanization and decline in
the position of women.
nBut in the Islamic world religion and law left women of all classes in better conditions than in other civilized
cultures.