The Rest Is History 376. Baghdad: The Forging of Islam (Part 1)
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Oct 8, 2023 Dive into the vibrant streets of ninth-century Baghdad, where a beggar's eyes reveal the city's cultural richness. Discover the rise of the Abbasids as they challenge the Umayyad Caliphate amid internal strife and sectarian tension. Explore how various religious communities navigated the evolving Islamic landscape, influencing early traditions. Uncover the complexity of power dynamics, as legal scholars oppose autocratic rulers, paving the way for a revolution that would transform early Islamic society.
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Baghdad's Contrasting Images
- Tom Holland remembers Baghdad as a romantic place from his childhood, thanks to the Arabian Nights cartoon.
- This association contrasts with the city's modern image, linked to conflict and Saddam Hussein.
Baghdad's Global Significance
- Baghdad's founding marks a pivotal moment in Islam's development, signifying its evolution into a recognizable civilization.
- This historical period is crucial for understanding global history, comparable to other significant historical transitions.
Umayyad Empire's Vastness
- The early Islamic empire, under the Umayyad Caliphate, was vast, exceeding even the Roman Empire in size.
- Their conquests, spanning from the Atlantic to China, were seen as divinely ordained, bolstering their legitimacy.
