Who was Arib al’Mamuniyya?

What were the main causes of the Russian Revolution? Why were the Romanovs murdered?Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia transports us to the tense atmosphere of World War One as Russia made the difficult transition from an imperial state to a socialist republic. But what was it l ...  Show more

Was Cleopatra actually Egyptian?It's a surprisingly important question. When most people think of Cleopatra, they have a specific person in mind. The Egyptian queen who married Julius Caesar and loved Mark Antony, and nearly ruled the Roman Empire for herself. But she was merely ...  Show more

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the life, works, context and legacy of Antarah (525-608AD), the great poet and warrior. According to legend, he was born a slave; his mother was an Ethiopian slave, his father an elite Arab cavalryman. Antarah won his freedom in battle and loved a ...  Show more

Born in Africa and transported as a slave to America, this Revolutionary War era poet became the darling of London and charmed notable figures of American history along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 

Today revisits a 2012 episode from previous hosts Sarah and Deblina. After a childhood spent roaming Europe, Freya Stark began saving money to take Arabic lessons. Once fluent, she traveled into areas few outsiders had ever been, documenting her travels in best-selling books.  Le ...  Show more

Mona tells us about the unusual freedom her Iraqi parents gave her as a kid, the meticulous process behind her work, and how she’s dismantling the idea that data journalism is an impenetrable truth.This episode was produced by Hebah Fisher and Dana Ballout, with editorial support ...  Show more