The History of the Middle East Podcast is where we dive into the rich history of the Middle East and its influence on the world. We'll explore the intellectual and cultural landscape, explore the lives of influential leaders, and uncover the cultural achievements that have shaped our modern world.
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The Ottoman Empire began as a small frontier principality in northwestern Anatolia - one of many Turkish beyliks born from the collapse of the Seljuks and the Mongol invasions. Within centuries, it transformed into a vast empire spanning three continents, uniting diverse peoples under one of history’s longest-lasting dynasties. How did it rise, expand, and sustain its rule for over 600 years? In this episode, Professor Charles Wilkins joins us to discuss: 🔹 The Turkic migrations and the Selj...
2 Sept 2025
The Sasanian Empire: Kings, Cities, and the Silk Roads
Send us a text The Sasanian Empire was the last great pre-Islamic power of Iran - a rival to Rome and Byzantium that shaped politics, trade, and religion across West and Central Asia. How did it rise from the ashes of the Parthians, rule for four centuries, and ultimately fall to the early Islamic conquests? In this episode, Professor Khodadad Rezakhani joins us to discuss: 🔹 The Near East on the eve of Sasanian rule and Ardashir I’s ascent 🔹 Rome–Sasanian rivalry: borders, diplom...
19 Mar 2025
Mongol Invasion of the Middle East: Destruction, Resistance, and Legacy
Send us a text The Mongol invasion of the Middle East was one of the most cataclysmic events in the region’s history, leading to the destruction of cities, the fall of the Abbasid Caliphate, and a transformation of the Islamic world. But how did a nomadic empire from the Eurasian steppes rise to power and bring down the greatest centers of Islamic civilization? In this episode, Professor Mehmet Ozalp joins us to discuss: 🔹 The state of the Middle East before the Mongol invasion 🔹 Genghis Kh...
27 Feb 2025
WWI in the Middle East: Empires Collapse, Nations Rise
Send us a text World War I wasn’t just a European conflict—it was a turning point that completely reshaped the Middle East, leading to the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the rise of new Arab nationalisms, and the imposition of European colonial rule. In this episode we sit down with Professor James Gelvin, a leading historian of the modern Middle East, to explore the war’s impact on the region. Together, we discuss: 🔹 Why the Ottoman Empire joined the war and its consequences 🔹 The Arab Revo...
6 Feb 2025
Ottoman Arab Provinces: Power, Decline, and Legacy
In this episode of Orientalism History, we take a deep dive into the final years of Ottoman rule in the Arab provinces—a period of profound transformation, political shifts, and growing unrest. Joining us is Professor Eugene Rogan, Director of the Middle East Centre at St Antony’s College, Oxford, and a leading historian of the modern Middle East. He is the author of The Arabs: A History and The Fall of the Ottomans: The Great War in the Middle East, both of which have shaped contemporary und...
30 Aug 2024
North Africa’s Fatimid Caliphate: An Empire of Power and Pluralism
We explore the history of the Fatimid Caliphate with Dr. Shainool Jiwa, a historian and Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Ismaili Studies. The Fatimid Caliphate, a North African empire that thrived from the 10th to the 12th centuries, is known for its remarkable approach to governance, cultural inclusivity, and intellectual achievements.Dr. Jiwa takes us on a journey through the origins and expansion of the Fatimid dynasty, highlighting their establishment of Cairo as a center of pow...
23 Aug 2024
The Syrian Revolt of 1925: Shaping the Post-Ottoman Middle East
We explore one of the most significant yet often overlooked uprisings in Middle Eastern history—the Syrian Revolt of 1925-1927 - with Professor Michael Provence, a Professor on modern Middle Eastern history from the University of California, San Diego, and author of The Great Syrian Revolt and the Rise of Arab Nationalism.We discuss the causes and consequences of the Syrian Revolt, examining how it challenged French colonial rule and ignited the flames of Arab nationalism across the region. W...
14 Aug 2024
The Rise and Legacy of the Umayyad Caliphate: From China to Cordoba
We explore the Umayyad Caliphate, an empire that stretched from the Iberian Peninsula to the borders of India. Professor Khalid Blankinship, a renowned historian specializing in Islamic history, joins us to discuss the origins of the Umayyads, their military conquests, administrative innovations, and the enduring legacy they left behind. Tune in to uncover the complexities and achievements of the Umayyad dynasty, and how they laid the foundations for the Islamic Golden Age Professor Khal...
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Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
4,328
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
4.6 / 5
9 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 36 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
15
Social presence
90
YouTube
68
Engagement
32
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