This episode of History 102 explores the fascinating rise of Islam, its Golden Age, and its decline, unpacking the cultural, political, and economic factors that shaped this pivotal period in history.

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WhatifAltHist creator Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg talk about the cultural and scientific achievements of the Umayyad and Abbasid Caliph - a period of unprecedented growth and innovation in the Islamic world. Then, uncover the reasons behind the decline of the Abbasid Caliphate, from internal conflicts and moral decay to the rise of the Turks and the shift from scientific progress to religious conservatism.

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HIGHLIGHTS:

The Enigma of Muhammad
The World Before Islam
Internal Conflicts
The Umayyad Caliphate
The Abbasid Caliphate
Misconceptions About Islam
The Decline of the Abbasids
Internal Conflicts and Barbarian Mercenaries
The Rise of Al Ghazali and the End of Science
The Decline of Capitalism
The Loss of the Mediterranean
The First Crusade and Societal Choices

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Books mentioned:

In the Shadow of the Sword: The Rise and Fall of Islam by Tom Holland
Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes by Tamim Ansary
The Venture of Islam: Conscience and History in a World Civilization by Marshall Hodgson (3-volume set)
Islam and the Arab World
The Myth of a Tolerant Muslim Spain

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