logo
episode-header-image
May 2024
32m 30s

Episode 84: General Mu’nis

ZAYD
About this episode
Having discussed the disorder in the caliphate’s civil bureaucracy we’ll turn our attention to the state of its military. The sharp contrast between the state of the two is in large part thanks to the figure of Mu’nis, the general who led Abbasid armies to one victory after another. His heroic efforts preserved the caliph’s authority over lands that would ha ... Show More
Up next
Jun 2024
Episode 85: Third time’s the charm
Considering the absurd levels of official mismanagement, it’s astounding how long the caliphate survived during al Muqtadir’s inept administration. Although it never collapsed, over the course of two dozen years the state’s power steadily declined in meaningful ways. It collected ... Show More
35m 14s
Jul 2024
Episode 86: Al Qaher’s folly
A chaotic period followed al Muqtadir’s death in battle. Although officials quickly reached a consensus on the elevation of his successor, the very fact that the last caliph had been killed meant that more political violence was to be expected. Al Qaher managed to best the men wh ... Show More
33m 35s
Aug 2024
Episode 87: Al Radi the irrelevant
We’ve reached the end of the road as far as Abbasid authority is concerned. Although it had waxed and waned before, there would be no recovering from the lows it had fell to this time. The caliph had no independent authority, helpful counselors, loyal generals, powerful armies, n ... Show More
31m 12s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2023
Khalid ibn al-Walid (ra): Becoming the Sword of Allah
<p>The story of how a feared enemy of Islam became it&apos;s greatest general. </p> 
1h 13m
Dec 2023
Who was al-Mu’tazz?
<p>In a time of anarchy and political upheaval, the established militant force in Samarra now has unprecedented power over the Caliph. In this episode Ali and Deana discuss the life of al-Mu’tazz, son of al-Mutawakkil and heir to the throne. From being the favorite child of his f ... Show More
12m 35s
Jun 2021
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) part 4
The battles and victories. 
39m 19s
Dec 2014
Episode 59 - Why did the Arabs win? Part 4: The Conquest Society
Now that the Arabs have conquered Syria and Mesopotamia how did they organise themselves? And how did this contribute to their continuing military victories? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. 
30m 11s
May 2023
Episode 268 - The Collapse of the Komnenian System
We take a look at the pros and cons of the Komnenian system. Then trace why it was causing enough resentment to lead to provincial separatism.We then move on to discuss the army and the bureaucracy and the people of Constantinople. Looking at how each was affecting political stab ... Show More
30m 27s
Jun 2019
EP8 Caesar at Hastings
Description: Could militaries separated by ten centuries compete on a battlefield? In this alternative history experiment two armies that successfully invaded Britain a millennium apart are matched. Which side would you bet on? Show Notes: 1. The Landmark Julius Caesar: The Compl ... Show More
2 h
Apr 2024
Khalid ibn al-Walid (ra): The Legendary Military General
<p>After he became Muslim, he immediately became perhaps the greatest factor in the spread of Islam throughout the world. Learn about his military genius, his legacy and contributions, and his unexpected death.</p> 
1h 11m
Oct 2012
Hannibal
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the life and achievements of Hannibal. One of the most celebrated military leaders in history, Hannibal was the Carthaginian general who led an entire army, complete with elephants, across the Alps in order to attack the Roman Republic. He live ... Show More
42m 1s
Mar 2017
3-2: Muawiyyah And Ziyad
Basra is starting to slip out of control with rampant crime and too much rebellion. Muawiyyah is ready to bring in someone new; however, this new guy has a scandalous past. In this episode, we're introduced to Ziyad ibn Abihi, Muawiyyah's brutal governor of Basra. We'll see how Z ... Show More
45m 6s
Apr 2019
Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar
<p>As Libya edges towards civil war, Becky Milligan looks at the life of the man behind the most recent conflict, which began with his military assault on the city of Tripoli.</p><p>Known as "The Strongman", Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar comes from a family of soldiers and as a yo ... Show More
13m 48s