To undertake the radical amelioration of such political and social conditions was a task of appalling, of apparently insuperable difficulty. Its fortunate accomplishment may not indicate the active interposition of Divine authority. The glories which invest the history of Islam may be entirely derived from the valor, the virtue, the intelligence, the genius, of man. If this be conceded, the largest measure of credit is due to him who conceived its plan, promoted its impulse, and formulated the rules which insured its success. In any event, if the object of religion be the inculcation of morals, the diminution of evil, the promotion of human happiness, the expansion of the human intellect; if the performance of good works will avail in that great day when mankind shall be summoned to its final reckoning, it is neither irreverent nor unreasonable to admit that Mohammed was indeed an Apostle of God. CHAPTER III THE CONQUEST OF AL-MAGHREB 647–707 General Disorder following the Death of Mohammed--Regulations of Islam--Progress of the Moslem Arms--Northern Africa, the Land of the Evening--Its Fertility--Its Population--Expedition of Abdallah--Defeat of the Greeks--Invasion of Okbah--Foundation of Kairoan--March of Hassan--Ancient Carthage--Its Influence on Europe--Its Splendid Civilization--Its Maritime Power, its Colonies, its Resources--Description of the City--Its Architectural Grandeur--Its Harbors, Temples, and Public Edifices--Roman Carthage--Its Luxury and Depravity--Its Destruction by the Moslems--Wars with the Berbers--Musa appointed General--His Romantic History--His Character--He subdues Al-Maghreb--Africa incapable of Permanent Civilization.