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We will discuss the birth of Islam and the rapid transition from an essentially religious power to a political one with the establishment of a very large empire first under the control of the Umayyads and then the Abbasids.
What will we cover?
Key events in the birth of Islam and in the establishment of the first two dynasties, those of the Umayyads and the Abbasids
The significance of the political use of imperial symbols, including capitals, buildings and art
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Distinguish the most important events in the birth of Islam and in the establishment of the first two dynasties, those of the Umayyads and the Abbasids
Reflect on and discuss the significance of the political use of imperial symbols, whether capitals, buildings or art; Discuss their patterns and production techniques
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 along with 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.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs, but please bring writing material and your eagerness to learn a lot about the history of the Umayyads and the Abbasids.
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.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/umayyads-661-750-and-abbasids-750-1258-the-first-dynasties-that-ruled-the-islamic-world3060544Umayyads (661-750) and Abbasids (750-1258): the first dynasties that ruled the Islamic worldhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/middle-east-north-africa-1024.jpg7979GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/The Middle East & North Africa/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Ancient civilisations/Courses/vm/Middle East & Africa Season228511771178135601191119213696122851177117811911653<p>This study day will delve into the main political and cultural events that characterise the history of the Umayyads and the Abbasids. </p>003048673Umayyads (661-750) and Abbasids (750-1258): the first dynasties that ruled the Islamic world7979https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/middle-east-north-africa-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-10-10T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allOct 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHWH2647979Umayyads (661-750) and Abbasids (750-1258): the first dynasties that ruled the Islamic world635179Roberta Marinumayyads-661-750-and-abbasids-750-1258-the-first-dynasties-that-ruled-the-islamic-world/hwh264-2627<p>This study day will delve into the main political and cultural events that characterise the history of the Umayyads and the Abbasids. </p>0000-Available|2026-10-10 00:00:00<p>We will discuss the birth of Islam and the rapid transition from an essentially religious power to a political one with the establishment of a very large empire first under the control of the Umayyads and then the Abbasids.</p><p>This study day will delve into the main political and cultural events that characterise the history of the Umayyads and the Abbasids. </p><ul><li>Key events in the birth of Islam and in the establishment of the first two dynasties, those of the Umayyads and the Abbasids</li><li>The significance of the political use of imperial symbols, including capitals, buildings and art</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>Distinguish the most important events in the birth of Islam and in the establishment of the first two dynasties, those of the Umayyads and the Abbasids</li><li>Reflect on and discuss the significance of the political use of imperial symbols, whether capitals, buildings or art;<br>Discuss their patterns and production techniques</li><li>Establish skills of critical and visual analysis</li></ul><p>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 along with a good grasp of English are more important than specific levels of skills. </p><p>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. </p><p>There are no additional costs, but please bring writing material and your eagerness to learn a lot about the history of the Umayyads and the Abbasids.</p><p>You may be interested in: </p><ul><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/the-cities-series-legendary-istanbul-a-city-with-many-stories-to-tell/hwh307-2627" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Cities Series: Legendary Istanbul, a city with many stories to tell</a></li><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/samanids-819-999-ghaznavids-977-1186-and-ghurids-786-1215-the-great-dynasties-of-central-asia/hwh265-2627" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Samanids (819-999), Ghaznavids (977-1186) and Ghurids (786-1215): the great dynasties of Central Asia</a></li><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/the-advent-of-islam-in-tunisia-morocco-libya-and-algeria/hwh306-2627" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The advent of Islam in Tunisia, Morocco, Libya and Algeria</a></li><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/the-ottomans-and-the-sublime-porte-1299-1922-istanbul-s-control-of-the-mediterranean-and-the-balkans/hwh151-2627" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Ottomans and the Sublime Porte (1299-1922): Istanbul's control of the Mediterranean and the Balkans</a></li></ul>HistoryThe Middle East & North AfricaCulture, history & humanitiesAncient civilisationsAncient civilisationsvirtual637951HWH264NONESat10/10/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyWeekendKSKeeley StreetRoberta MarinBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-10-10T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeOct 2026Culture, history & humanities7979Umayyads (661-750) and Abbasids (750-1258): the first dynasties that ruled the Islamic worldumayyads-661-750-and-abbasids-750-1258-the-first-dynasties-that-ruled-the-islamic-world/hwh264-2627<p>This study day will delve into the main political and cultural events that characterise the history of the Umayyads and the Abbasids. </p>0000-Available|2026-10-10 00:00:00<p>We will discuss the birth of Islam and the rapid transition from an essentially religious power to a political one with the establishment of a very large empire first under the control of the Umayyads and then the Abbasids.</p><p>This study day will delve into the main political and cultural events that characterise the history of the Umayyads and the Abbasids. </p><ul><li>Key events in the birth of Islam and in the establishment of the first two dynasties, those of the Umayyads and the Abbasids</li><li>The significance of the political use of imperial symbols, including capitals, buildings and art</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>Distinguish the most important events in the birth of Islam and in the establishment of the first two dynasties, those of the Umayyads and the Abbasids</li><li>Reflect on and discuss the significance of the political use of imperial symbols, whether capitals, buildings or art;<br>Discuss their patterns and production techniques</li><li>Establish skills of critical and visual analysis</li></ul><p>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 along with a good grasp of English are more important than specific levels of skills. </p><p>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. </p><p>There are no additional costs, but please bring writing material and your eagerness to learn a lot about the history of the Umayyads and the Abbasids.</p><p>You may be interested in: </p><ul><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/the-cities-series-legendary-istanbul-a-city-with-many-stories-to-tell/hwh307-2627" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Cities Series: Legendary Istanbul, a city with many stories to tell</a></li><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/samanids-819-999-ghaznavids-977-1186-and-ghurids-786-1215-the-great-dynasties-of-central-asia/hwh265-2627" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Samanids (819-999), Ghaznavids (977-1186) and Ghurids (786-1215): the great dynasties of Central Asia</a></li><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/the-advent-of-islam-in-tunisia-morocco-libya-and-algeria/hwh306-2627" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The advent of Islam in Tunisia, Morocco, Libya and Algeria</a></li><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/the-ottomans-and-the-sublime-porte-1299-1922-istanbul-s-control-of-the-mediterranean-and-the-balkans/hwh151-2627" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Ottomans and the Sublime Porte (1299-1922): Istanbul's control of the Mediterranean and the Balkans</a></li></ul>HistoryThe Middle East & North AfricaCulture, history & humanitiesAncient civilisationsAncient civilisationsconfigurable
135601178The Middle East & North Africahttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/the-middle-east-north-africa1/2/285/1177/1178/135601/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/The Middle East & North Africa
