2-6: 636 and 637 CE

The military doctrine of Marwan II reshaped the final years of the Umayyad Dynasty as he attempted to stabilize a rapidly fracturing empire. In this episode of the Islamic History Podcast, we explore the chaotic period leading to the end of the Umayyad Caliphate, starting with th ...  Show more

The Assassination of Caliph Walid II serves as the violent climax to an era of mounting tension, marking the definitive start of the Third Fitna civil war. This episode explores the roots of this collapse, beginning with the Early History and Passive Protest of Sufism, where figu ...  Show more

The Roman army, with 10,000 soliders, outnumbered the Muslims 3:1 at the Battle of Mutah. Some of the Muslims feared the large army and wanted to retreat, but the senior companions bolstered their courage.Prophet Muhammad had appointed a leader for the army, with two backup leade ...  Show more

After a decade of peace, the Romans and Samnites returned to war. The early years of fighting went well for Rome, but in 321 BC they were handed a humiliating defeat at Caudine Forks. 

As the Quraysh fled, the archers watching the army's back rushed to gather the spoils of war. The enemy noticed this and launched a cavalry counter attack from the unprotected rear, changing the tide of the war.Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=497.Subscribe ...  Show more

From 343-341 BC Rome fought a brief war against the Samnites, a powerful hill tribe who would plague the Romans for the rest of the century. The Romans won an inconclusive victory, but the war was only the opening salvo in a long running struggle between the two peoples.