Known as one of the last Zoroastrian dynasties to exist prior to the Islamic Iranian dynasties, the Qarinvand Dynasty ruled parts of the Tabaristan highlands in today’s northern Iran. Tabaristan was ruled by the Dabuyid Dynasty through Dabuyid Ispahbads. As one of two Dabuyid vassal kingdoms, the other being Bavand, the Qarinvand Dynasty ruled from the 550s until the 11th-century, persisting even after the Abbasids defeated the Dabuyid ruler and annexed Tabaristan. Little is known about Tabaristan’s history under the Dabuyid Ispahbads, especially the Qarinvand Dynasty. Nevertheless, its history can be understood through linked dynasties including the Bavand, Abbasid, and Dabuyid dynasties. Thank you to Courtney Blankenship for this article.

The Dabuyid Dynasty, otherwise known as the Gaubarid Dynasty, was an Iranian Zoroastrian Dynasty ruled by a group of independent kings, called Ispahbads. Most of what is known about the Dabuyid Dynasty is from the later historian Ibn Isfandiyar’s Tarikh-I Tabaristan, written in the 13th Century. Although the dynasty was founded by Gil Gavbara in 642 CE, it was named after his son, Dabuya, who controlled the kingdom after his father’s death. Dabuyid rule extended over Tabaristan and western Khorasan until the Abbasid conquest in 760. The dynasty ended with the suicide of Khurshid after a surprise invasion by the Abbasid Caliphate. Thank you to Amineh Najam-ud-din for this article.

In this podcast episode, Amer from Real Arabic translates and discusses the first half of the article: The Impact of the Russia/Ukraine Conflict on MENA Countries. This recording is also cross-posted to the Real Arabic Podcast’s website. 

The emergence of the Funj Sultanate completely altered the existing power dynamics between the Ottoman Empire and Ethiopia in the 16th-18th centuries. The Funj established their capital city at Sinnar, a port along the banks of the Blue Nile in what is now northeastern Sudan, where they maintained tight control over a flourishing trade of gold and slaves. Under Funj's rule, Islam spread and it is still the dominant religion in modern-day Sudan. For nearly 300 years, the Funj presence in the region frustrated Ottoman attempts at southern expansion until they succumbed to an invasion led by Egypt’s viceroy, Muhammad Ali. Thank you to Andy Mendez for this article.

In this podcast episode, Amer from Real Arabic translates and discusses the first half of the article: The Impact of the Russia/Ukraine Conflict on MENA Countries. This recording is also cross-posted to the Real Arabic Podcast’s website. 

From the 9th to 11th century, a Shiite denomination known as the Qarmatian civilization prospered in areas known today as Iraq, Yemen, and Bahrain. The civilization was named after Hamdan Qarmat, their leader in the late 9th century. The Qarmatian civilization is known for its excellent social management and egalitarian society, which attracted those considered “low-class” members of society such as farmers and craftsmen. The Qarmatian empire is also remembered for the abduction of the sacred Black Stone, which they kept for 23 years. The Qarmatians played a major role in history through the development of their profound vision for a social utopia. Thank you to Elaine Haddox for this article.

The Nabhani Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in the modern-day Sultanate of Oman, which lasted from 1154 to 1624. Despite continuous internal and external conflicts, the Bani Nabhan family was able to retain power for almost 500 years, secure the frankincense trade, and build a lasting fortress in the city of Bahla. During their reign, the Nabhani consolidated power from the Imams, however, towards the end of their dynasty, the influence of the Imams began to become more entrenched. The end of the Nabhani Dynasty came as the Ya’rubid Imam, Nasir bin Murshid, removed Nabhani ruler Suleiman bin Mudhafar in 1624. Thank you to Alphaeus Hanson for this article!

The Aghlabids were an Arab Dynasty of Emirs that ruled Ifriqya, a historical region consisting of Tunisia, Libya, and Algeria and parts of Southern Italy and Sicily, for about a century beginning in 800 CE. The Aghlabids gained power when Ibrahim al-Aghlab was appointed Emir of the region. Under Aghlabid rule, Ifriqya became the first autonomous state in the Abbasid Caliphate. The capital of Ifriqya was in the present-day Tunisian city of Kairouan, which became the most important center of academics in the Maghreb under Aghlabid rule. Aghlabid rule over Ifriqya ended around 900 CE when the Fatimids came to power. Thank you to Kirsten Mullin for this article.

Ziyad in Arabic means growth, which is fitting for the Ziyadid Dynasty’s enduring influence over modern-day Yemen and throughout the Islamic world for over 1,000 years. Established by Muhammad ibn Ziyad in 820, who was sent to settle a quarrel for the Abbasids but instead created his own empire and named the capital ‘Zabid’, after himself. Zabid grew rich in culture, education, and commerce. Nicknamed the “Baghdad of Yemen,” people traveled well-maintained roads and enjoyed newly erected mosques that connected from Mecca to Aden. The Ziyadid demise eventually came from a revolt of those the empire had enslaved. Thank you to Tanner Willis for this powerful article.

Located in ancient Egypt or modern day Sudan, the civilization of Nobatia (or Nobadia) was conceived from the Kushite Kingdom alongside its neighbors to the south, Makuria and Alodia. Established around 400 C.E. Nobatia was one of the first kingdoms to convert to Christianity during this time. Nobatia was eventually absorbed by the Makuria Kingdom in the 7th century. It is likely that early Nobatia is the same civilization as the Ballana culture, however few details are known about this kingdom today, and much of our knowledge is based on archaeological excavation of town sites and tombs in the region. Thank you to Julia Smith for this powerful article.