This episode explores the historical context leading to the founding of Baghdad, utilizing the upcoming Assassin's Creed Mirage video game as a springboard. Against the backdrop of the vast Umayyad Caliphate's expansion across the Middle East, the discussion delves into the internal conflicts and challenges faced by the dynasty. More significantly, the podcast examines the complex interplay between the Arab conquerors and the diverse conquered populations—Christians, Zoroastrians, and Jews—and how their beliefs and practices influenced the evolving nature of Islam. For instance, the podcast highlights how elements of Zoroastrianism and Jewish legal traditions, such as the Talmud, subtly shaped the development of Sunni Islam's legal and cultural practices. The narrative then shifts to the growing discontent among the conquered peoples, who used Islamic teachings to challenge the Umayyad's rule, setting the stage for the Abbasid Revolution. The episode concludes by emphasizing the significance of this period as a pivotal moment in world history, marking a transition from late antiquity to the medieval world and the rise of a new Islamic empire.
