logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2023
34m 48s

Episode 65: Al Mutawakkil

ZAYD
About this episode
Considering their invincibility on the battlefield, the caliphate’s armies probably felt assured that they would remain the state’s number one priority. Al Mutawakkil’s purge of the administration only touched one member of the military hierarchy, and the caliph could not kill off its leadership if he required an effective fighting force. Although he sought ... Show More
Up next
May 2023
Episode 66: Sunni side up
Despite the religious overtones of the caliphate, there was nothing very islamic about the state when it came to policy. The inquisition marked the first time an administration tried to interfere in matters of faith, and it intensified over the reigns of three caliphs. Al Mutawak ... Show More
30m 23s
May 2023
Episode 67: Breaking the camel’s back
Succession planning presented a sporadic problem for the caliphate. The great fitna was the last disaster spawned by ill-conceived designs, and it proved absolutely ruinous to the state. Al Mutawakkil’s arrangement was so bad that it became the first to snare the caliph himself i ... Show More
28m 21s
Jun 2023
Episode 68: Al Muntasir and the beginning of the end
It’s difficult to overstate the impact al Mutawakkil’s usurpation had on the political reality of the caliphate. Not only did it completely hijack control of the state, but it also had decisive implications for the nature and locus of official authority. We’ll kick off our journe ... Show More
28m 57s
Recommended Episodes
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
Aug 2023
The Battle of Mu'tah - Prelude
The Battle of Mu'tah was triggered when a messenger Prophet Muhammad sent to Ghassani Shurahbil was murdered. This was a declaration of war. While Prophte Muhammad himself didn't participate in this battle, thanks to the treaty of Hudaybiyya he was able to send 3000 Mus ... Show More
50m 30s
Jul 2021
Khalid Ibn al-Walid: The Sword of God
In the 7th century, the world saw the rise of one of the most important religious and political forces in history: Islam. Springing forth from the Arabian Peninsula, within a matter of months, the Islamic Caliphate had become one of the largest empires on Earth. Much of that grow ... Show More
10m 25s
Oct 2020
The Battle of Gallipoli (1915) How Ataturk and the Ottomans Hurled the Allies (Including Winston Churchill) Into the Sea
The Allies desperately wanted to take control of the Dardanelles (the straights connecting Constantinople with the Mediterranean). They were crucial to Russia and would make it possible for Russia to (in effect) have a warm-water port. The only problem is the Ottomans had control ... Show More
47m 59s
Aug 2014
Episode 2 - Forgotten Heroes, The Indian Army in the Great War
In the second part of his documentary looking at the Asian contribution to WW1, Sarfraz Manzoor charts the experiences of soldiers and labourers in Mesopotamia and Gallipoli. The story for India changes as the war wears on. Recruitment becomes more draconian, British officers are ... Show More
29m 2s
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
Jan 2022
De la arena a la gloria: la historia de Espartaco
Las aptitudes militares de Espartaco y su carisma personal convirtieron una limitada revuelta de gladiadores en la mayor rebelión de esclavos que conoció la antigua Roma; apenas tenían armas, pero eran fuertes y sabían combatir, y bajo su mando, los insurrectos batieron a seis ge ... Show More
11m 30s
Feb 2022
The Battle of Uhud
- The Muslims marched towards the invaders with an army of 1000 men. - Munafiqs revealed: Abdullah ibn Ubayy deserted the army and left with 300 of the men, the munafiqs. - Battle tactics used by Prophet Muhammad - Fortications abandoned: The prophet gave the archerers unambiguou ... Show More
47m 4s
Apr 2022
Episode CLXXXVII - The Battle of Philippi
More than two years have passed since the death of Caesar, and we now find our story at the final battle of the Liberator’s war. Octavian and Mark Antony lead their forces west to confront Cassius and Brutus, who have amassed quite the army in the meantime. Part VI of 'The Libera ... Show More
48m 12s
Apr 2017
Mahabharata Episode 46: The Preparation
Duryodhan and Arjun seeks Krishna's supportAfter Abhimanyu and Uttara's wedding, the Pandavas get busy planning to claim back their Kingdom. They knew, Duryodhan wouldn't give back their due without a fight. They begin to seek alliances of powerful kings. To fight the Kauravas th ... Show More
19m 43s