Major BBC series rediscovering some of the key thinkers and achievements from the Golden Age of Islam.
Between the 8th and 13th Century, the Islamic world flourished. This 500-year period of monumental political and cultural change became known as its 'Golden Age', characterised by unprecedented advancement in the fields of architecture, invention, medicine, innovation and philosophy, which still inform huge parts of the modern world.
In these 20 episodes, we hear about some of the most remarkable events and individuals of this extraordinary epoch. Beginning with the establishment and expansion of the Islamic State, the series encompasses the rise of Shi-ism, the introduction of paper to the Western world, the brilliance and beauty of Islamic architecture and the intellectual powerhouses of Baghdad and Cairo. We also meet important historical figures, including Harun Al-Rashid (the Caliph from the Thousand and One Night tales), mathematician and astronomer Al-Khwarizmi, philosopher and physician Avicenna, influential poet and mystic Al-Rumi and the great 12th Century hero Saladin.
Each episode is presented by experts in the field, who share their knowledge and passion, among them lawyer and politician Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, scientist Jim Al-Khalili, theologian Professor Mona Siddiqui, Persian scholar Narguess Farzad and award-winning writer Kamila Shamsie.
Also included are two episodes of In Our Time hosted by Melvyn Bragg, the first expanding further on the colourful career of Avicenna, and the second discussing the life and ideas of a prescient intellectual who lived just after the Golden Age: the 14th Century philosopher of history Ibn Khaldun.
Track list: 1. The Establishment of the Islamic State 2. Ali ibn Abi Talib 3. Imam Bukhari 4. Paper 5. Harun al-Rashid 6. Rabia Balkhi and Mahsati Ganjavi 7. Al-Khwarizmi 8. Al-Kindi 9. Al-Farabi 10. Avicenna 11. Al-Tabari 12. Islamic Architecture 13. Al-Biruni 14. Al Hakim 15. Al-Ghazali 16. Ibn Rushd 17. Cities of Learning 18. Salah al-Din 19. Al-Rumi 20. Lubna of Cordoba
21. In Our Time: Avicenna Presented by Melvyn Bragg With Peter Adamson; Amira Bennison and Nader El-Bizri First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8 November 2007
22. In Our Time: Ibn Khaldun Presented by Melvyn Bragg With Robert Hoyland, Robert Irwin and Hugh Kennedy First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 4 February 2010
The Islamic Golden Age - Baroness Sayeeda Warsi & Kamila Shamsie
Major BBC series rediscovering some of the key thinkers and achievements from the Golden Age of Islam.
Between the 8th and 13th Century, the Islamic world flourished. This 500-year period of monumental political and cultural change became known as its 'Golden Age', characterised by unprecedented advancement in the fields of architecture, invention, medicine, innovation and philosophy, which still inform huge parts of the modern world.
In these 20 episodes, we hear about some of the most remarkable events and individuals of this extraordinary epoch. Beginning with the establishment and expansion of the Islamic State, the series encompasses the rise of Shi-ism, the introduction of paper to the Western world, the brilliance and beauty of Islamic architecture and the intellectual powerhouses of Baghdad and Cairo. We also meet important historical figures, including Harun Al-Rashid (the Caliph from the Thousand and One Night tales), mathematician and astronomer Al-Khwarizmi, philosopher and physician Avicenna, influential poet and mystic Al-Rumi and the great 12th Century hero Saladin.
Each episode is presented by experts in the field, who share their knowledge and passion, among them lawyer and politician Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, scientist Jim Al-Khalili, theologian Professor Mona Siddiqui, Persian scholar Narguess Farzad and award-winning writer Kamila Shamsie.
Also included are two episodes of In Our Time hosted by Melvyn Bragg, the first expanding further on the colourful career of Avicenna, and the second discussing the life and ideas of a prescient intellectual who lived just after the Golden Age: the 14th Century philosopher of history Ibn Khaldun.
Track list: 1. The Establishment of the Islamic State 2. Ali ibn Abi Talib 3. Imam Bukhari 4. Paper 5. Harun al-Rashid 6. Rabia Balkhi and Mahsati Ganjavi 7. Al-Khwarizmi 8. Al-Kindi 9. Al-Farabi 10. Avicenna 11. Al-Tabari 12. Islamic Architecture 13. Al-Biruni 14. Al Hakim 15. Al-Ghazali 16. Ibn Rushd 17. Cities of Learning 18. Salah al-Din 19. Al-Rumi 20. Lubna of Cordoba
21. In Our Time: Avicenna Presented by Melvyn Bragg With Peter Adamson; Amira Bennison and Nader El-Bizri First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8 November 2007
22. In Our Time: Ibn Khaldun Presented by Melvyn Bragg With Robert Hoyland, Robert Irwin and Hugh Kennedy First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 4 February 2010