194. Empire of Numbers: Fibonacci and the Birth of Modern Money

194. Empire of Numbers: Fibonacci and the Birth of Modern Money

When King Alfonso VI of León took Toledo from the Arabs in 1085, the history of western christendom changed forever. Within the city existed a number of texts full of the ideas that we would call Arabic numerals, but that originated in India. From the libraries of Toledo these were translated and spread through Europe. Enter Fibonacci. A genius Italian mathematician, he instantly recognised the advantages of this number system and so wrote Liber Abaci, distilling these ancient ideas into a Latin text. Once this caught on, it laid the foundation for the modern banking and economic system that underpins the global economy. Listen as William and Anita discuss how numerical ideas that originated in India came to prevail across the world. To buy William's book: https://coles-books.co.uk/the-golden-road-by-william-dalrymple-signed-edition Twitter: @Empirepoduk Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com Goalhangerpodcasts.com Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett Producer: Callum Hill Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episoder(359)

46. The Mau Mau, the court case, and the hidden documents

46. The Mau Mau, the court case, and the hidden documents

The Mau Mau emergency began in 1952. Over the next eight years, the British abused thousands of Kenyans; detaining them, torturing them, murdering them. Yet, when Caroline Elkins published her book de...

25 Apr 202350min

45. Successors to the Romans, progressive harems, and living Ottomans

45. Successors to the Romans, progressive harems, and living Ottomans

Did the Ottomans see themselves as the successors to the Roman Empire? Was the Ottoman harem more progressive than others? How tolerant was the Ottoman Empire? And where are the descendants of the Emp...

20 Apr 202338min

44. The Legacy of the Ottomans, Queen of the Desert, and giant turbans

44. The Legacy of the Ottomans, Queen of the Desert, and giant turbans

How did Ataturk view the Ottomans? What is the status of the Ottoman Empire today? Who was Gertrude Bell? And how did Ottomans wear such big turbans? Listen as William and Anita answer your questions ...

18 Apr 202345min

43. The Birth of Saudi Arabia

43. The Birth of Saudi Arabia

A Saud. A Bin Laden. A Philby. They all, along with the discovery of oil and a BBC demon, come together in the birth of the modern state of Saudi Arabia. Join William and Anita as they are joined by S...

11 Apr 20231h

42. The Fiery End of the Ottoman Empire

42. The Fiery End of the Ottoman Empire

The Greeks are retreating to Smyrna in the face of Ataturk’s victory. The city, once one of the jewels of the Ottoman kingdom, is set to face devastation hitherto unknown. William and Anita are once a...

6 Apr 202348min

41. The Rise of Ataturk

41. The Rise of Ataturk

The First World War is over. There is unrest across Anatolia, exacerbated by the Greek invasion coming through Smyrna. Turkish forces are swelling to fight back against the Greeks, and at their head.....

4 Apr 202351min

40. Origins of the Israel-Palestine Conflict

40. Origins of the Israel-Palestine Conflict

The Balfour Declaration was published on the 9th November 1917. It stated the intent of the British government to create a Jewish homeland in Palestine. This week, William and Anita are joined by Tom ...

28 Mar 202349min

39. Lawrence of Arabia and the Arab Revolt

39. Lawrence of Arabia and the Arab Revolt

Often understood through Peter O’Toole’s iconic display, who really was Lawrence of Arabia? His role in the First World War and the Arab Revolt had a defining effect on the Middle-East. Listen as Will...

21 Mar 202359min

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