Echoes of History

The murder of al-Mutawakkil marked a drastic change in the politics of Baghdad and Samarra. In the emerging anarchy of the region, al-Qabiha was an enchanting and ruthless political force. She would use her power to put an end to the anarchy and secure her son’s position as Caliph, but will it last? An original Ubisoft series, produced by Paradiso Media. Written by: Ali A Olomi Hosted by: Ali A Ol...

In the newly established political capital of Samarra, the Caliph is separated from Baghdad by 60 miles and a wall of soldiers. After becoming the leader of this centralized city, al-Mutawakkil adopts a reign of opulence, and has quite an axe to grind. Will he be able to survive the politics of the new elite guard?  An original Ubisoft series, produced by Paradiso Media. Written by: Ali A Olo...

In a time bound by rigid social and class divides, knowledge and the pursuit thereof often bridged the gap between lowly beginnings and a prolific career. For historic author Al-Jahiz, that meant encyclopedic knowledge of a wide range of topics from science to politics, and theories on evolution that preceded Darwin by almost a thousand years. An original Ubisoft series, produced by Paradiso...

Sold into slavery from a young age, this medieval rockstar Arib al’Mamuniyya went on to impress the Caliphs, and become a famed poet and musician in her own right. In a time where literacy was a prized possession, Arib lived well by her wits and made waves with proper doses of intellect and controversy. An original Ubisoft series, produced by Paradiso Media. Written by: Ali A Olomi Hosted by:...

How did this famed Arab physician shape the future of medicine and influence the Muslim Empire for centuries to come? From his humble beginnings as an outspoken student, he would later become the head of the House of Wisdom, the creator of eye medicine, and one of the most prolific scholars of his time. An original Ubisoft series, produced by Paradiso Media. Written by: Ali A Olomi Hosted by: Ali...

In medieval Baghdad, there was a particular focus on two elements of knowledge expansion: recording existing principles, and further expanding on this knowledge through experimentation. Al-Mahani represents a key figure in this transitional period of scholarship, translating and commenting upon Euclidean geometry, as well as laying the mathematical groundwork for future astrologists and scientists...

The Medieval scholars of Baghdad were obsessed with math and saw it as the ultimate harmony of the universe. Deana and Ali explore the lives and legacy of the Banū Mūsā brothers: their origin, scholarly works and schemes. Educated in the House of Wisdom, the Banū Mūsā brothers advanced math, astronomy & other sciences in the Islamic world, as well as Western civilisation. An original Ubis...

In Figures of Baghdad, we’ll get to know some of the great minds of the Abbasid Empire, all of whom are characters you can find in Assassin's Creed Mirage. From three scholarly brothers who scheme and plot at the center of power, while studying the mysteries of the universe... to a legendary poet who raises herself up from slavery, into the very heart of the caliphs... to the scholars, translators...

The sharing of culture was vital for the Abbasids. Even their predecessors, the Umayyads, had been fascinated by the knowledge of other cultures and societies. The Abbasids took things one step further when they created The House of Wisdom: an important library and institution that funded scholars, learning, and most importantly translation.  This is the final episode of Baghdad Soundwalks, b...

Muslims spilled a lot of ink pondering what good government should look like, what a wise ruler should be like, and why it mattered for society. And this is the type of political intrigue that makes Baghdad, the city of Peace, into a place of civil war. The War of the Two Brothers starts on the Night of the Three Caliphs, where the succession of the throne is shaped by the death of one caliph, the...

Alongside the Great Mosque, the palace was the first structure built in Baghdad. Let’s imagine this… You’re a new visitor, you’ve traveled for miles, perhaps stopping at the funduq as you slowly make your way to the round city. There’s a bustle as crowds of visitors wind their way from the many roads to the gates of Baghdad. As you pass the entry, you see it. Right in your line of sight, the palac...

Let’s take a jaunt to an ancient structure that made all of medieval Baghdad possible, the caravanserai or funduq. Originally built by the Achaemenids as roadside taverns or ins, these were dwellings that connected roads & provided travelers with food and shelter. As the city evolved and expanded, the Funduq grew alongside it.  An original Ubisoft series, produced by Paradiso Media. Writt...

With their elaborate domed ceilings and ornate mosaics, these public steam baths were adopted by Muslims from the Greco-Roman world. Stemming from a time when not everyone had access to running water, hammams were accessible to all regardless of class or wealth. A place of cleansing, religion, healing and community. An original Ubisoft series, produced by Paradiso Media. Written by: Ali A Olomi Ho...

The Great Mosque was positioned in the center of Baghdad, with numerous smaller mosques dotted around the various neighborhoods. A place of daily prayer, a community center, a place to feed the poor and hungry. The mosque was for everyone from the powerful to the ordinary… You hear the call to prayer as it reverberates throughout the city. It comes in from the distance as the main mosque starts th...

In this episode we’ll travel to the Bazaar (AKA souk), a place of trade and politics, the beating heart of the city… Throngs of people move about, garbed in clothing that reflect their rank; the rich in their silks and finely woven robes of different colored hues: greens and blues and rich earth tones, old men sitting on the side of streets playing board games, young kids running amok… An original...

Originating with the Persian empires, the harem (unlike its salacious modern day portrayals) emerges from the need to create a safe space for rulers and their families. Let’s take a tour! You’ve had an entire day full of courtly intrigue and politics. You retire, passing a curtain separating the public from the private… you pass by special guards whose principal job is protecting your family. You...

Medieval Muslims imagined themselves as scholarly warriors, poets, and philosophers, knights, and cavaliers. This elite culture and the way it filtered down to the masses, is what made this period of Baghdad so exciting. In this episode we explore the culture of chivalry and the ideal household as the basic foundation of Abbasid culture and society. From the art of horsemanship to the ethos of the...

What would a visitor have seen entering the City of Peace? Deana and Ali tour the medieval metropolis that is Baghdad. Capital city of the Abbasid empire, heart of the Islamic civilization, home to mighty architectural marvels and great intellectual achievements!  An original Ubisoft series, produced by Paradiso Media. Written by : Ali A Olomi Hosted by : Ali A Olomi, Deana Hassanein Mixing a...

Baghdad Soundwalks guides you through the history, intrigue and drama of medieval Baghdad, the setting for Assassin's Creed Mirage. Join our hosts Ali A Olomi and Deana Hassanein as they explore an exciting time period which is often overlooked. An original Ubisoft series, produced by Paradiso Media. Written by: Ali A Olomi Hosted by: Ali A Olomi, Deana Hassanein Mixing and editing: Adrien Le Blon...

With a network of fortifications spanning Europe, the backing of the Pope and a fierce reputation, how did the reign of the Knights Templar end in arrest, torture, disbandment and, in some cases, execution? Mike Carr is with Matt Lewis to share the rumours that led to the Knights’ downfall, the possible motives of Philip IV, and to explore whether the order continued in any form. An original Ubiso...

Poisoned blades, a gun, a dagger to the heart - assassinations & killings for political gain have taken place for as long as societies have existed. Just as in the games, we have evidence of assassinations from Ancient Egypt to the American Revolution to the Victorian Age. In this episode with the disaster historian, John Withington, Matt Lewis finds out what motives people have had for assass...

This is the most sought after Christian relic, believed to have miraculous healing powers and divine origins. What isn’t known is exactly what it is that we’re supposed to be looking for. Different mythologies describe different grails with different properties. To find out more about the folklore of the grail, how it became so entwined with that of the Knights Templar, and what this story shares...

In 1192, Conrad of Montferrat was assassinated, the question was, did Richard I have anything to do with it? Then, 80 years later Lord Edward, who would soon become King Edward I of England, survived an assassination attempt while on crusade in the Holy Land. Two crusader kings, caught up on opposite sides of the assassins. So what was the relationship between Crusader states and the assassins? Ma...

What does it take to be the Grand Master of the Knights Templar? Robert de Sablé, born into a respected military family in France was the 11th Grand Master. So was he the evil villain we meet in Assassin’s Creed? How high profile was he? And how strong was his support network? Peter Edbury speaks to Dan Snow about the real man behind the legends. An original Ubisoft series, produced by History Hit...

An order of crusading monks draped in white robes marked with a red cross: the Knights Templar perhaps don’t sound that daunting when you first hear of them. But these monks were one of the most powerful organisations in the world during the crusades. From land ownership to banking to fighting on the frontlines with their faith as a weapon, the Knights Templar were worthy competition for the Assas...