Iraq was once the center of the Abbasid Caliphate and a hub of knowledge until the 15th century. It flourished in trade, ...

Middle East, a new dynasty seized control of one of the world’s greatest empires – the Islamic Caliphate. Though little remembered in the west today, the Abbasids reigned for five centuries. They ...

The Abbasid caliphs employed a group of people known as 'nudema' - these were professional cup companions, their job was to sit with the caliph as he ate and drank, and entertain him with edifying ...

Inside the Abbasid palace of Baghdad, built in around 12th century. The caliphates (Islamic states) were governed by a caliph. They were the successors to Muhammad. The first major caliphate was ...