Who was al-Mu’tazz?
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...
4 Dec 202312min
Who was Qabiha?
The murder of al-Mutawakkil marked a drastic change in the politics of Baghdad and Samarra. In the emerging anarchy of the region, al-Qabiha was an enchanting and ruthless political force. She would u...
27 Nov 202312min
Who was al-Mutawakkil?
In the newly established political capital of Samarra, the Caliph is separated from Baghdad by 60 miles and a wall of soldiers. After becoming the leader of this centralized city, al-Mutawakkil adopts...
20 Nov 202315min
Who was Al-Jahiz?
In a time bound by rigid social and class divides, knowledge and the pursuit thereof often bridged the gap between lowly beginnings and a prolific career. For historic author Al-Jahiz, that meant ency...
13 Nov 202314min
Who was Arib al’Mamuniyya?
Sold into slavery from a young age, this medieval rockstar Arib al’Mamuniyya went on to impress the Caliphs, and become a famed poet and musician in her own right. In a time where literacy was a prize...
6 Nov 202312min
Who was Hunayn ibn Hishaq?
How did this famed Arab physician shape the future of medicine and influence the Muslim Empire for centuries to come? From his humble beginnings as an outspoken student, he would later become the head...
30 Okt 202312min
Who was Al-Mahani?
In medieval Baghdad, there was a particular focus on two elements of knowledge expansion: recording existing principles, and further expanding on this knowledge through experimentation. Al-Mahani repr...
23 Okt 202313min
Who were the Banū Mūsā brothers?
The Medieval scholars of Baghdad were obsessed with math and saw it as the ultimate harmony of the universe. Deana and Ali explore the lives and legacy of the Banū Mūsā brothers: their origin, scholar...
16 Okt 202312min
