New Medieval Books: Chronicle of Michael the Great
One of the most important accounts from the Near East in the 12th century is the Chronicle of Michael the Great. This book offers an English translation of the abridged Armenian version of that chronicle.
Early Medieval Church in Iraq Points to Christian–Zoroastrian Neighbours
Archaeologists excavating Gird-î Kazhaw in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region say an early medieval church complex near a Sasanian fort may show Christians and Zoroastrians living side by side in the fifth–sixth centuries.
When the Assassins Came to Mosul
In 1126, Nizari Assassins struck in Mosul, killing the powerful Seljuk commander al-Bursuqi during Friday prayers. The attack and its bloody reprisals reveal how fear, faith, and politics intertwined in the medieval Islamic world.
Brewing Controversy: How Coffee Sparked Fierce Debate in the 16th-Century
A bitter new drink swept through the holy cities of Mecca and Medina in the early 1500s – and ignited one of the fiercest religious debates of the late-medieval Islamic world.
How to Be a Medieval Hitman – What It Took to Be an Assassin Fidais
The medieval Assassin fidais were elite Nizari killers whose fearsome reputation blended myth, legend and the stark reality of their missions.
Sinan: The Old Man of the Mountain
Meet Rashid al-Din Sinan, the Nizari Ismaili leader remembered as the “Old Man of the Mountain,” who built fortresses, trained the Assassins, and shaped one of the most feared movements of the medieval Middle East.
Assassins and the Strategy of the Underdog
The Assassins of medieval Persia were a small, unpopular sect, but they developed a strategy that allowed them to punch far above their weight. By seizing castles, cultivating converts, and carrying out targeted killings, they created a network of power that defied even the Seljuk Turks
How Ancient Were the ‘Ancient’ Order of Assassins?
Discover the true origins of the medieval Assassins, from Hasan Sabbah’s capture of Alamut to the rise of a ruthless Ismaili state in Persia.
Early Medieval Cross Discovered in UAE
A plaster cross dating back 1,400 years has been discovered on Sir Bani Yas Island, shedding light on medieval Christian life in the Arabian Gulf.
New Medieval Books: Black Knights
Medieval Arabic literature frequently included Black African characters, offering valuable insight into contemporary ideas about race and race relations. This book examines those sources to uncover how such concepts developed in the Middle Ages and how they have continued to influence perceptions of race up to the present day.
New Medieval Books: History of the Arab Invasions: The Conquest of the Lands
Futuh al-Buldan is one of the most important primary sources for the early history of Islam. Written around the year 867, it chronicles the era of the Prophet Muhammad, and Muslim expansion into Syria, Egypt and Iraq.
New Medieval Books: The Science of Music
Did you know there was a vibrant music scene in 13th-century Baghdad, even during the time of the Mongol conquest? This book traces the life of a prominent musical scholar and explores what his works reveal about education and intellectual life in the medieval Islamic world.
The Copper Guardian: A Medieval Tale of Treasure Hunters and Curses
In a tale preserved from the 10th century, a man from Cairo sets out in search of treasure hidden deep in the mountains.…
Scribes, Not Just Authors: New Study Uncovers Editorial Brilliance in Medieval Syriac Manuscripts
A new study analyzes nearly 1,000 Syriac manuscripts using digital tools to reveal how scribes shaped literary culture through excerpting—introducing a new metric, Excerpts Per Manuscript (EPM), to map editorial practices across time and genre.
New Medieval Books: The Donkey King
Why does the humble donkey appear alongside prophets and demons? This book delves into the many roles donkeys play in Arabic literature—from comic relief to a symbol of the supernatural.
New Medieval Books: The Emergence of Arabic Poetry
Offering a fresh look at the origins and development of Arabic poetry, this book argues that pre-Islamic poetry reflected regional identities and that later Islamic scholars favoured a specific style to define a unified Arab culture.
New Medieval Books: The Medieval Persian Gulf
Although the Persian Gulf was not as prosperous or influential in the Middle Ages as it is today, the region boasts a fascinating history. This book delves into its communities, exploring their ethnic and religious dynamics alongside their trade activities.
New Medieval Books: The Rules of Logic
The most widely read introduction to logic in the Arabic-speaking world, this work dates to the 13th century. If you enjoy reading about propositions and syllogism, then this book is for you.
New Medieval Books: The Memoirs of Shah Tahmasp I
This is an account written by a 16th-century ruler where he describes many events and wars of his reign. It aims to both justify his decisions and offer advice to his descendants on how to rule.
Early medieval inscription discovered in Saudi Arabia
Archaeologists in Saudi Arabia have uncovered an inscribed stone dating back to the 5th century AD. The inscription consists of three lines, two of which are written in Thamudic script and one in early Arabic script.
Mongols and their impact upon the Muslim Middle East
This is a video version of episode 26 of the podcast “‘Tis But A Scratch: Fact and Fiction About the Middle Ages,” hosted by Professor Richard Abels.
New Medieval Books: The Mongol Storm
This book examines how the medieval Middle East was reshaped by the invasion of the Mongol Empire in the thirteenth century. In this story of war and politics, new groups would emerge while others, including the Crusaders, would lose it all.
Islamic Silver Unveiled: Geochemical Insights Rewrite History
A groundbreaking study has shed new light on the sources of early Islamic silver coins, known as dirhams.
Partying in the Middle Ages (and Party-Crashing)
Are you looking for fun and excitement? A medieval book gives you all the best secrets for how to get into parties, even…