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Islam & the Early History of the Islamic Caliphate with Matteo Gabbrielli

Islam & the Early History of the Islamic Caliphate with Matteo Gabbrielli


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

This conversation is a general introduction to the first centuries of the Islamic Caliphate, from its creation to the Crusades' Era. Given the vastness of the theme, the conversation will discuss the Arabic Middle East as a geographical limit and the Middle Ages as a chronological limit.
The focus of this conversation is Islam, analyzed from a historic perspective and described in its first centuries of existence. The sequence of slides will include a mix of maps, to provide a geographical context to the events, and photos of architectures and art objects, in order to display the achievements of each dynasty presented in the seminar.
After a short discussion of the meaning of the word Islam, the first section will focus on the origins of this religion. The early life and the preaching of the prophet Muhammad will be presented through the pages of a 16th-century Turkish manuscript; then Muhammad's successors, the "Rashidun", will be presented in chronological order. The second section of the conversation will discuss the stabilization of the caliphate under the Umayyads, settled in Damascus, and the Abbasids who built the new capitals of Baghdad and Samarra. The third section will take us to Cairo in order to understand the sequence of Islamic dynasties that ruled Egypt and shaped its amazing capital city.
Led by an expert on Islamic Archaeology, Matteo Gabbrielli, this interactive seminar will provide a general introduction to the first centuries of the Islamic Caliphate. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased desire to know more about Islamic history and culture.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 4 reviews
75%
(3)
25%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
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C
Carol

All of the conversations I have participated in (10, at least) have been very good, and some have been excellent. A few were marred by technical issues, but the content was still good.

J
JACQUELINE

The presenter was very well organized and covered this complicated story line in an easy to follow lecture. I particularly enjoyed his openess to questions.

k
kenneth

Concise, thorough and educational experience

R
Robin

first time I was not happy with lecture. so much new material and new names the I felt he ran through - has a hard time keeping up with new Arab names and lecturer's accent. in the end just took pictures of every slide so I could review on my own later. don't know if others had the same issue. there should be a an agenda sent to us beforehand so we can be familiarized with SOME of the material beforehand, otherwise warn us that this is not for beginners

Customer Reviews

Based on 4 reviews
75%
(3)
25%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
C
Carol

All of the conversations I have participated in (10, at least) have been very good, and some have been excellent. A few were marred by technical issues, but the content was still good.

J
JACQUELINE

The presenter was very well organized and covered this complicated story line in an easy to follow lecture. I particularly enjoyed his openess to questions.

k
kenneth

Concise, thorough and educational experience

R
Robin

first time I was not happy with lecture. so much new material and new names the I felt he ran through - has a hard time keeping up with new Arab names and lecturer's accent. in the end just took pictures of every slide so I could review on my own later. don't know if others had the same issue. there should be a an agenda sent to us beforehand so we can be familiarized with SOME of the material beforehand, otherwise warn us that this is not for beginners