The capital of the Safavid Empire: Shah Abbas I and the transformation of Isfahan (1501-1736)
This course will trace the origins and development of the Safavid dynasty and the ongoing conflicts with the Ottoman neighbours. The choice of Isfahan as the capital of the empire will be also analysed.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
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The study day will focus on the history of the Safavid empire, with special attention to Shah Abbas I. An integral part of the course will be a guided tour of the British Museum’s Islamic galleries, where significant works of art produced by the Safavids are displayed.
What will we cover?
The study day will be divided into two parts. In the morning session, which will take place in the classroom at the City Lit, we will examine the origins of the Safavid dynasty, which dates back to the Sufi mystic Sheikh ¿afi al-Din (1253-1334) of Ardabil, from whom the dynasty derived its name. We will continue by analysing the golden age of the empire, which was based on victories in military campaigns and the export of silk to Europe and the Islamic world. In the afternoon we will move to the British Museum’s Islamic Art Galleries where the objects on display will tell us more about the fascinating history of this very remarkable dynasty.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- distinguish the most important events in the history of the Safavids; - reflect on and discuss the significance of the political use of imperial symbols, whether capitals, buildings or art - identify the period and the area of production of the art objects we will see at the Islamic Art Galleries of the British Museum; - discuss their patterns; - establish skills of critical and visual analysis.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is introductory and everyone is welcome. As with most of our history and current affairs courses, an open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree a good grasp of English are more important than specific levels of skills.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Teaching is intended to be interactive. PowerPoint presentations with a wide range of slides will accompany the prepared talks. Questioning is welcomed throughout. Handouts with a selected bibliography and other helpful information for further self-study will be provided on Google Classroom.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring writing material and your eagerness to learn a lot about the history of the Safavid dynasty.
Roberta Marin completed her BA in Fine Arts in Italy and holds an MA in Islamic Art and Archaeology from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. She has travelled extensively in the Mediterranean area and her field of interest includes Mamluk art and architecture, the history of Oriental carpets and Modern and Contemporary Art from the Arab world and Iran. She collaborates with the Khalili Collection of Islamic Art and has taught courses on various aspects of Islamic art and architecture in private and public institutions in the United Kingdom, Italy and Saudi Arabia.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/the-capital-of-the-safavid-empire-shah-abbas-i-and-the-transformation-of-isfahan-1501-1736311360The capital of the Safavid Empire: Shah Abbas I and the transformation of Isfahan (1501-1736)https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/social-anthropology-1024.jpg6969GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Global & imperial history22851177117812101228511771178This course will trace the origins and development of the Safavid dynasty and the ongoing conflicts with the Ottoman neighbours. The choice of Isfahan as the capital of the empire will be also analysed.002923158The capital of the Safavid Empire: Shah Abbas I and the transformation of Isfahan (1501-1736)6969https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/social-anthropology-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-05-09T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHWH1506969The capital of the Safavid Empire: Shah Abbas I and the transformation of Isfahan (1501-1736)554569Roberta Marinthe-capital-of-the-safavid-empire-shah-abbas-i-and-the-transformation-of-isfahan-1501-1736/hwh150-2526This course will trace the origins and development of the Safavid dynasty and the ongoing conflicts with the Ottoman neighbours. The choice of Isfahan as the capital of the empire will be also analysed.0000-Available|2026-05-09 00:00:00The study day will focus on the history of the Safavid empire, with special attention to Shah Abbas I. An integral part of the course will be a guided tour of the British Museum’s Islamic galleries, where significant works of art produced by the Safavids are displayed.This course will trace the origins and development of the Safavid dynasty and the ongoing conflicts with the Ottoman neighbours. The choice of Isfahan as the capital of the empire will be also analysed.The study day will be divided into two parts. In the morning session, which will take place in the classroom at the City Lit, we will examine the origins of the Safavid dynasty, which dates back to the Sufi mystic Sheikh ¿afi al-Din (1253-1334) of Ardabil, from whom the dynasty derived its name. We will continue by analysing the golden age of the empire, which was based on victories in military campaigns and the export of silk to Europe and the Islamic world. In the afternoon we will move to the British Museum’s Islamic Art Galleries where the objects on display will tell us more about the fascinating history of this very remarkable dynasty.- distinguish the most important events in the history of the Safavids;<br>- reflect on and discuss the significance of the political use of imperial symbols, whether capitals, buildings or art <br>- identify the period and the area of production of the art objects we will see at the Islamic Art Galleries of the British Museum;<br>- discuss their patterns;<br>- establish skills of critical and visual analysis.This course is introductory and everyone is welcome. As with most of our history and current affairs courses, an open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree a good grasp of English are more important than specific levels of skills.Teaching is intended to be interactive. PowerPoint presentations with a wide range of slides will accompany the prepared talks. Questioning is welcomed throughout. Handouts with a selected bibliography and other helpful information for further self-study will be provided on Google Classroom.Please bring writing material and your eagerness to learn a lot about the history of the Safavid dynasty.<p>You may be interested in the following course:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/the-capital-of-the-safavid-empire-shah-abbas-i-and-the-transformation-of-isfahan-1501-1736/hwh150-2526" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The capital of the Safavid Empire: Shah Abbas I and the transformation of Isfahan (1501-1736)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/science-in-the-islamic-golden-age" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Science in the Islamic Golden Age</a></li><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/what-the-islamic-golden-age-did-for-us" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">What the Islamic Golden Age did for us</a></li></ul>HistoryGlobal & imperial historyvirtual556945HWH150NONESat09/05/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetRoberta MarinAvailable courses2026-05-09T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanities6969The capital of the Safavid Empire: Shah Abbas I and the transformation of Isfahan (1501-1736)the-capital-of-the-safavid-empire-shah-abbas-i-and-the-transformation-of-isfahan-1501-1736/hwh150-2526This course will trace the origins and development of the Safavid dynasty and the ongoing conflicts with the Ottoman neighbours. The choice of Isfahan as the capital of the empire will be also analysed.0000-Available|2026-05-09 00:00:00The study day will focus on the history of the Safavid empire, with special attention to Shah Abbas I. An integral part of the course will be a guided tour of the British Museum’s Islamic galleries, where significant works of art produced by the Safavids are displayed.This course will trace the origins and development of the Safavid dynasty and the ongoing conflicts with the Ottoman neighbours. The choice of Isfahan as the capital of the empire will be also analysed.The study day will be divided into two parts. In the morning session, which will take place in the classroom at the City Lit, we will examine the origins of the Safavid dynasty, which dates back to the Sufi mystic Sheikh ¿afi al-Din (1253-1334) of Ardabil, from whom the dynasty derived its name. We will continue by analysing the golden age of the empire, which was based on victories in military campaigns and the export of silk to Europe and the Islamic world. In the afternoon we will move to the British Museum’s Islamic Art Galleries where the objects on display will tell us more about the fascinating history of this very remarkable dynasty.- distinguish the most important events in the history of the Safavids;<br>- reflect on and discuss the significance of the political use of imperial symbols, whether capitals, buildings or art <br>- identify the period and the area of production of the art objects we will see at the Islamic Art Galleries of the British Museum;<br>- discuss their patterns;<br>- establish skills of critical and visual analysis.This course is introductory and everyone is welcome. As with most of our history and current affairs courses, an open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree a good grasp of English are more important than specific levels of skills.Teaching is intended to be interactive. PowerPoint presentations with a wide range of slides will accompany the prepared talks. Questioning is welcomed throughout. Handouts with a selected bibliography and other helpful information for further self-study will be provided on Google Classroom.Please bring writing material and your eagerness to learn a lot about the history of the Safavid dynasty.<p>You may be interested in the following course:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/the-capital-of-the-safavid-empire-shah-abbas-i-and-the-transformation-of-isfahan-1501-1736/hwh150-2526" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The capital of the Safavid Empire: Shah Abbas I and the transformation of Isfahan (1501-1736)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/science-in-the-islamic-golden-age" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Science in the Islamic Golden Age</a></li><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/what-the-islamic-golden-age-did-for-us" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">What the Islamic Golden Age did for us</a></li></ul>HistoryGlobal & imperial historyconfigurable
12101178Global & imperial historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/world-history1/2/285/1177/1178/12101/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Global & imperial history
