Dynasties and Empires

Profile and timeline of the Muslim Berber movement who replaced the Almoravids, and became the leading political power in North Africa and Spain in the 12th and 13th century. From Encyclopedia of the Orient.

An account of the Ayyubid period in Egypt, from Saladin through to Shajarat al-Durr and their replacement by the Mamluks.

An account of Egypt in the Fatimid Period, focussing on the development of Cairo (Al Kahira). Includes a list of rulers.

Article about the Shi'a dynasty that ruled over parts of the Maghreb, Egypt, and the Levant from 909 to 1171. [From Wikipedia]

An account of the impact of the Mongol invasions and the Khanid dynasty on Iran; focuses on their cultural and artistic achievements.

A history of the dynasty, with a focus on their art and culture; includes illustrations.

An extract from Oleg Grabar's PhD dissertation; the development of royal ceremonial under the Umayyads went hand in hand with the formation of the theory of the caliphate, as a partiarchal rulership transformed into a royal one

A brief biographical profile and critical assessment of his ideas.

A translation of an anonymous Arab chronicle about the Battle of Poitiers (or Tours) in 732.

An account of the Caliphate in the wider context of the Muslim world; includes a list of the Caliphs.