Born sometime around 570 in the town of Mecca, it is known that Muhammad spent some time as a shepard. Later he became a servant of a merchants widow, and eventually married her. Outwardly, at least, there was little to distinguish Muhammad from anyone else. Muhammad ultimately ran afoul of polytheistic Mecca. As Muhammad's following grew larger, Mecca's leaders took note. Feeling threatened, they tried to suppress the followers. Boycotts were used. In 622, when things got particularly nasty, Muhammad took his followers to the city of Medina.