A History of the World in 100 Objects
Harem wall painting fragments
Jun 15, 2010
Explore life and intrigue in the great courts of the world during the medieval period. Discover the reality of life in the harem and how it compares to the sensual fantasy. Learn about the conditions and qualifications for women in the harem. Unveil the opulence and melancholy of the harem portraits and the decline of the Abbasid empire. Delve into the significance of Samara in Shia Islam and its tragic history.
14:08
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Quick takeaways
- The podcast provides insights into the real-life court of the Abbasid caliphs and their extravagant lifestyle, as depicted in the Arabian Nights stories.
- The Harim quarters housed the caliphs' women, who received special privileges but also faced the darker aspects of court life.
Deep dives
The Arabian Nights: Realities of Pleasure in the Abbasid Court
The podcast explores the real-life aspects of the Arabian Nights stories, revealing insights into the court of the Abbasid caliphs and their extravagant lifestyle. Portraits and fragments of painted plaster from the Harim quarters provide a glimpse into the life of women and boys in the palace. The court was a closed society, and stories from the Arabian Nights are believed to be part of the repertoire of professional cup companions who entertained the caliphs. The palaces themselves were grand but transient, as the caliphs would build new ones and abandon the old. Samara, the new capital city, was intended to be a safe haven for the court and served as a dazzling center of the Islamic Empire.
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