Islam’s ’Golden Age’: Rise of the Abbasids

Crusader Kings 3 is free to play on Steam May 11-15, 2023 - use this link to play now... In the 8th century Middle East, a new dynasty seized control of one of the world’s greatest empires – the Islamic Caliphate. Though little remembered in the west today, the Abbasids reigned for five centuries. They oversaw an era of Islamic military dominance... city-building… brilliant scholarship, and technological innovation. It has come to be remembered as Islam’s ‘golden age’. This is the story of the Abbasid Caliphate. Thank you to our series historical consultant, Professor Antoine Borrut of the University of Maryland. Find out more about his research and publications here: Thank you also to YouTube channel Al Muqaddimah for additional help with research. Watch great history videos on Islamic history at: @AlMuqaddimahYT --------------------------------- 📚 Some recommended reading provided by Prof. Borrut for those wishing to know about the Abbasids - (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases): 📖 A recent & comprehensive overview of Abbasid Baghdad and Abbasid culture: Emily Selove, Baghdad at the Centre of a World, 8th-13th Century: An Introductory Textbook 📖 The funniest (and excellent) introduction to the topic (comic book): Emily Selove, Popeye and Curly: 120 Days in Medieval Baghdad 📖 The most accessible narrative on the Abbasid dynasty: Hugh Kennedy, When Baghdad Ruled the Muslim World: The Rise and Fall of Islam’s Greatest Dynasty 📖 To move away from the aura of masculinity surrounding the period: Nadia Maria El Cheikh, Women, Islam, and Abbasid Identity 📖 An excellent biography of a major Abbasid caliph: Michael Cooperson, Al-Ma’mun 📖 Many more excellent biographies in the same series, “Makers of the Muslim World”: 📖 A thought-provoking discussion of the making of a discrete Muslim identity in pre-Abbasid times: Fred M. Donner, Muhammad and the Believers: At the Origins of Islam --------------------------------- Support Epic History TV on Patreon from $1 per video, and get perks like ad-free early access & votes on future topics 👕 Buy posters, t-shirts, hoodies, mugs & stickers at our merch store: 🎶 Filmstro Music from: Get 20% off an annual license with this exclusive code: EPICHISTORYTV_ANN #EpicHistoryTV #IslamicHistory #AbbasidCaliphate