logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2022
38m 44s

Episode 46: Shifting east

ZAYD
About this episode
The chaos of the Abbasid revolution gave foreign powers a rare opportunity to strike at the caliphate while it was paralyzed by internal strife. Things could have gone very badly for the Arabs but the unparalleled al Mansur proved as capable against these foes as he had those who had opposed him within the caliphate. His armies faced down assaults from all d ... Show More
Up next
May 2022
Episode 47: The city of peace
Perhaps most significant among al Mansur’s many triumphs was his founding of a new capital for his administration, a glorious new city which would come to be known as Baghdad. It was a decision that had a tremendous impact on Arab and world history, bringing the umma another step ... Show More
34m 1s
Jun 2022
Episode 48: Al Mahdi
Al Mansur’s long reign transformed the caliphate in countless ways, most of them for the better. It provided a kind of stability the umma desperately needed to absorb the tumult of the Abbasid revolution and adjust to the new status quo. What followed was a golden age of prosperi ... Show More
37m 2s
Jun 2022
Episode 49: Al Hadi
The sudden passing of Mohammad al Mahdi led his son Musa al Hadi to become the umma’s next leader sooner than anyone would have expected. With a wild disposition and little actual experience in administration, the twenty one year old became the youngest Abbasid to wield power. He ... Show More
31m 6s
Recommended Episodes
May 2018
The Almoravid Empire
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Berber people who grew to dominate the western Maghreb, founded Marrakesh and took control of Al-Andalus. They were desert people, wearing veils over their faces to keep out the sand, and they wanted a simpler form of Islam. They called themsel ... Show More
49m 26s
Dec 2022
Episode 255 - The Third Crusade (part 1)
As soon as news reached the West that Jerusalem had fallen a new Crusade was called. The German, French and English Kings all led armies East but only Frederick Barbarossa went by land. He led a large army across the Balkans towards Constantinople and Isaac Angelos had to decided ... Show More
25m 14s
Mar 2024
Khalid Ibn Al-Walid - Battle Of Yarmouk
To Heraclius the Arabs were a backward people living in a desert wasteland. The Arabs he knew were an unsophisticated lot in constant conflict with each other, just barely eking out an existence under the unforgiving desert sun. The Arabs were not a military threat let alone a mi ... Show More
15m 20s
Jan 2012
The Safavid Dynasty
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Safavid Dynasty, rulers of the Persian empire between the 16th and 18th centuries.In 1501 Shah Ismail, a boy of fifteen, declared himself ruler of Azerbaijan. Within a year he had expanded his territory to include most of Persia, and founde ... Show More
42m 8s
May 2023
The Arab Revolt | Common Purpose, Competing Interests
<p>The riders sat on their mounts, horses and camels, and gazed across the desert toward the shimmering sea and a small village on its shore. An old fortress dominated what passed for a skyline, the only building that stood more than two stories above the ground. Clusters of palm ... Show More
19m 56s
Sep 2023
Fighting the Roman Army
The Roman army, with 10,000 soliders, outnumbered the Muslims 3:1 at the Battle of Mutah. Some of the Muslims feared the large army and wanted to retreat, but the senior companions bolstered their courage. Prophet Muhammad had appointed a leader for the army, with two backup lead ... Show More
48m 17s
May 2021
La dura vida de los ilotas, los esclavos de Esparta
Los ilotas pertenecían al Estado y no podían ser vendidos fuera de Esparta ni liberados por los particulares. De hecho los ciudadanos de Esparta podían consagrar su vida entera a la guerra porque sus esclavos, los ilotas, a los que trataban cruelmente, los liberaban de cualquier ... Show More
11m 19s