Why did Muslim architecture incorporate Roman and Byzantine elements?

Question

• The Arab Muslims were conquered by the Romans.
• Many Romans lived in the Arab Muslim empire.
• The Romans and Byzantines once ruled some Muslim lands.
• Muslims valued Roman and Byzantine architectural styles the most.

Answer 1

Muslim architecture incorporated Roman and Byzantine elements primarily because the Romans and Byzantines once ruled some Muslim lands. Following the conquests of the Arab Muslim Empire, the Islamic architects and builders encountered existing Roman and Byzantine structures, styles, and techniques. This cultural exchange influenced the development of unique Islamic architectural forms, combining aspects of the earlier traditions with new Islamic aesthetics and functions.