Al Fusaic

Want to learn about the empire that earned a reputation as history’s biggest opportunists and most brilliant diplomats? Then tune into the Chaldean Empire livestream. Located in modern-day Iraq and ancient Mesopotamia, the Chaldeans were master traders, strategists, and academics. The modern 7-day week and 60-second minute were created from this empire and their invention of the sundial. They also built the infamous Ishtar Gate, the Ziggurats of Babylon, and created the astronomy and zodiac. Thank you to Omowaleayo for writing about this spectacular empire.

You're back with Coretta and Andi in شاي و عربي (Shay wa Arabi)! They react to an episode of The Arabic We Speak, a Levantine dialect podcast brought to you by our partners, Dalal and Amani. How much Arabic can you understand from this episode on Sustainable Tourism? Tea is optional, but the fun is not!

The majority of the Median Empire is known through the writing of Herodotus, the "father of ancient history." He wrote about the important aspects of his empire, especially its capital Ecbatana, a modern archaeological marvel. The empire began and ended without any major wars or major rivalries, instead it broke away from the Assyrian Empire at its inception and then was absorbed into the Persian at its decline. Thank you Emily Moran for writing on this unique empire.

You're back with Coretta and Andi in شاي و عربي (Shay wa Arabi)! They react to an episode of The Arabic We Speak, a Levantine dialect podcast brought to you by our partners, Dalal and Amani. How much Arabic can you understand from the fifth episode on Compliments? Tea is optional, but the fun is not!

You're back with Coretta and Andi in شاي و عربي (Shay wa Arabi)! They react to an episode of The Arabic We Speak, a Levantine dialect podcast brought to you by our partners, Dalal and Amani. How much Arabic can you understand from this episode on Sustainable Tourism? Tea is optional, but the fun is not!

You're back with Coretta and Andi in شاي و عربي (Shay wa Arabi)! They react to another episode of The Arabic We Speak, a Levantine dialect podcast brought to you by our partners, Dalal and Amani. Now that things are opening up, let's get back to complimenting one another! Tea is optional, but the fun is not!

Stuck in the middle of the Marinid and Hafsid Empires, the Tlemcen Kingdom was surrounded by enemies from the outset. Located in modern-day Algeria, this empire persisted throughout its 300-year reign due to its trading clout and alliances with the Spanish Kingdoms. They are best known for their interfaith relations and for connecting the Sahara to the Mediterranean in terms of trade routes. Also, the first stop on Marinid traveler extraordinaire Ibn Battuta's 40-year voyage was the city of Tlemcen! Thank you to Genaro Aguilera-Reza for writing about this fascinating and engaging kingdom!

You're back with Coretta and Andi in شاي و عربي (Shay wa Arabi)! They react to another episode of The Arabic We Speak, a Levantine dialect podcast brought to you by our partners, Dalal and Amani. Now that things are opening up, let's get back to complimenting one another! Tea is optional, but the fun is not!

The Zirid Dynasty is best known for its stunning architecture (especially in Granada), detailed battle paintings, gorgeous manuscripts, woodcarvings, and chroniclers. Located today in modern-day Tunisia and Algeria, the Zirids began as an agricultural hub and maritime trading post for the Fatimid Empire. Soon after, they declared their independence from the Fatimids ultimately triggering their downfall as they faced numerous enemies from all directions via land and sea. Thank you to Sarah Erickson for writing on this impactful North African empire.

Have you heard of King Midas's Golden Touch, The Trojan War, and the Gordian Knot? Or more modernly, Missy Elliot's "Get Your Freak On"? The thing that connects these random pieces all lie in the Phrygian Kingdom. Lasting for around 5 centuries in modern-day Northwest Turkey, this ancient Greek-adjacent kingdom flourished with a thriving equestrian class and were immense traders and crafters on metalworking, woodcraft, pottery making, and embroidery. Thank you Nate Merz for showcasing this kingdom's fascinating history.