The Seljuqs were Persianized Turks who initially lived in Central Asia. During the 11th century CE, they stormed into the Middle East. They eventually ruled over Persia, Mesopotamia and the Levant. In Anatolia, they conquered large parts of the Byzantine Empire. The Seljuq threat prompted Byzantine pleas for help to Western Europe, which contributed to […]

The Timurids were the followers of Tamerlane, also called Timur. He envisioned himself as the second coming of Genghis Khan and – as such – tried to restore the Mongol Empire. The Timurids were therefore highly ambitious and overran large parts of Central Asia and the Middle East. Timurid expansionism bolstered Silk Road trade, reinvigorated […]

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The Mongols were a steppe people that conquered large parts of the medieval world to form the largest land empire in world history. They did this mainly on horseback. This allowed them to cover distances no other army could compete with. Their often brutal conquests ushered in an era of stability and prosperity. They revitalized […]

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. At Smyrna, the Knights Hospitaller were confronted with an attack by Timur. They had beaten the Turks back for decades, but this enemy was something else. Read More

The Knights Hospitaller were a sovereign military organization of great prestige. Comparable to their “competitors” the Templars, they controlled land, castles and soldiers in the Holy Land. Both orders were somewhat of a private army, but unlike certain mercenaries, they were disciplined, well-organized and shot through with crusader zeal. The Hospitallers started as a medical […]

Before the arrival of any European power, up amongst the Andean clouds, a large imperial state developed in South America: the Inca Empire. Interestingly, the empire grew to great heights without the wheel, steel or even writing. From a Western standpoint, this may seem primitive, but the Incas were a great civilization. Who were the […]

We review stuff for you, so you can pick the best medieval material. Here’s our take on Matthew Gabriele’s & David M. Perry’s The Bright Ages. Quick facts Full title: The Bright Ages: A New History of Medieval Europe Authors: Matthew Gabriele (professor, Medieval Studies, Virginia Tech) & David M. Perry (journalist, historian, former professor […]

It was commonly known throughout the Middle Ages that Byzantine politics were dangerous waters to navigate. Many who entered the arena did not make it out alive. Emperor Justinian II, also, managed to have himself deposed but – although his bodily integrity was violated – carefully maneuvered himself back onto the throne. The adventure cost […]

Khalid ibn al-Walid was a daring commander and a brilliant strategist. His exploits greatly contributed to the rapid expansion of the first Islamic caliphate. Having served under the great prophet Muhammad himself, al-Walid led the Arab armies with tremendous zeal and determination – earning him the nickname “the Sword of God”. But Damascus, the first […]

Hello (aspiring) writers, Let’s make this summer a blast by kickstarting it with a fun little writing challenge! We are partnering with our good friends at the History Inquiry for this one! Thanks to this partnership, the winner will be awarded $30 and additional promotional tools in our respective publications. Goal Write an engaging but […]

For virtually the entire Middle Ages, Vietnam was split into two realities. The north was mostly autonomous when ruled by strong dynasties, but fell to Chinese influence under weaker monarchs. The south was populated by the independent Cham people; initially wealthier, they were eclipsed by the northern Vietnamese over the course of several centuries. This […]

We review stuff for you, so you can pick the best medieval material. Here’s our take on Jack Tannous’s The Making of the Medieval Middle East. Quick facts Full title: The Making of the Medieval Middle East. Religion, Society, and Simple Believers. Author: Jack Tannous, associate professor at Princeton. First published: 2018 Publisher: Princeton UP […]

We review stuff for you, so you can pick the best medieval material. Here’s our take on Valerie Hansen’s The Year 1000. Quick facts Full title: The Year 1000. When Explorers Connected the World—and Globalization Began Author: Valerie Hansen, American historian and professor. Teaches at Yale since 1998. First published: 2020 Publisher: Penguin Number of […]