Episode notes
This episode explores the meteoric rise of the Islamic Caliphates, which emerged from the deserts of Arabia and rapidly became one of the most powerful forces in world history. After the death of Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE, leadership passed to the early Caliphs, who unified the Arabian Peninsula and launched unprecedented conquests.
The Umayyad Caliphate, ruling from Damascus, expanded the empire across three continents—from Spain in the west to India in the east. They established Arabic as the administrative language, standardized currency, and built architectural marvels like the Dome of the Rock. However, resentment toward their elitism led to revolution.
The Abbasid Caliphate seized power in 750 CE