The Byzantine Empire's shrinking territorial control in 750 as the Caliphate expanded rapidly across the Mediterranean and the Near East. The Byzantine Empire, marked in light green, is shown in retreat, with key areas such as North Africa and the Levant falling to the growing influence of the Islamic Caliphate. Meanwhile, the map also traces the spread of Islamic rule, including the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula and parts of Persia, as well as marking important cities such as Jerusalem, Mecca, and Medina.