Middle Eastern History
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The Splendours of Islam in Medieval Times
Within the far-flung empire that grew out of the conquests of Islamic armies after the 7th century AD, art, science and scholarship reached brilliant heights.
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Life in Ancient Egypt
The Roman historian Tacitus once called Ancient Egypt "the gift of the Nile". It was true. But for the Nile, civilization could never have flourished in Egypt.
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Mesopotamia - The Rise of Sargon the Great
A Semite from the city-state of Akkad, Sargon would create an empire that would change the political and cultural identity of Sumer.
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Mesopotamia – Warring City-States
Approaching the height of its power, Sumer was a confederacy (loose union) of city-states, often with one dominating at a given period of time until the rise of Akkad.
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Saladin - The Model of Chivalry
Yusuf ibn-Ayyub Salah-al-Din, Saladin, showed an unusual sense of honor and chivalry during the Holy Wars between the Christians and Muslims in 1175.
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The Coptic Church
Copt comes from the ancient Greek word, Aigyptos and literally translated means Egyptian. The Greek derived this word Ha-Ka-Ptah, a name for the once Capital of Memphis.
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Mesopotamia – The Birth of Written Law
Early laws focused on monetary compensation for offenses, but later Sumerian civilization will see harsher, and more brutal penalties.
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Jesus Christ – Accidental Prophet?
Is it true that the mass prevalence of Christian tradition is testimony enough that its founder actually existed?
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David Mickey Marcus - An Israeli-American Hero
In the annals of Israeli history, few stories compare to that of the American who helped Israel form an army and save Jerusalem, Colonel David "Mickey Marcus.
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Mesopotamia - The Birth of Writing
Pictorial symbols, used for religious purposes, would become phonetic characters out of necessity for something simpler, leading to the first written language, and epic
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Mesopotamia – Life and Contributions
Sumerians lived a life typical of most ancient civilization, a life which was simplified with the onset of numerous innovations like pottery, the wheel, and metallurgy.
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Mesopotamia – The Birth of Modern Civilization
Groups of primitive hunters/gatherers settled in an area of land between two great rivers to form one of the first human civilizations.
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The Biblical Prophet Amos
Most Christian and Judean faiths believe that Amos was a minor prophet and the author of the book holding his name. What evidence is there that he existed?
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Conflict behind Women Wearing the Veil in Egypt
The veil in modern times is synonymous with controversy, but at the heart of this turmoil is history. Events in early 20th century Egypt led to today's complexities.
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Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan
Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan was the founding president of the United Arab Emirates. In the hearts of the Emirati, he was also the father of their new nation.
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The History of the United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates sits atop the "rhinoceros horn" of the Arabian peninsula. A small prosperous federation of tribal states, the UAE was founded on 2 December 1971.
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Hammurapi's Code
Hammurapi (1792-1750 BC), king of Babylon, governed his empire effectively and fairly for over forty years.
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Early History of Lebanon
Lebanon today does not evoke positive images of Middle Eastern tranquility. However, this diverse nation used to be a beacon of hope amid this volatile region.
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From Slave to Career Woman
The story of a Russian slave who used the harem as a springboard to power in the Ottoman Empire.
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The Zionist Movement and the Balfour Declaration
The Zionist movement called for the creation of a Jewish homeland. However, early Zionists faced many intriguing obstacles, some even from fellow Jews.
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The Early Zionist Movement
The Zionist movement called for the creation of a Jewish homeland. However, early Zionists faced many intrigung obstacles, some even from fellow Jews.
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Origins of the Arab Revolt in World War I
The Ottoman Turks failed to see the influence their secular brand of imperialism had on their Arab subjects, until it was too late.
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Olive Plant Well Documented in Bible
The olive tree and its byproducts have historical significance in the Bible and ancient lands, and specimens 2,000 years old may still thrive.
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A Death Sentence Upon Children Two and Younger
Matthew's account of King Herod's order to slay the male children is the only account of such an atrocity and now contemporary biographers of Herod question its validity.
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A "Star" to Follow
Many theories exist regarding the Star of Bethlehem; and, despite the disbelief of the non-religious,
astronomers have calculated how such an event might have occurred.
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The Wise Men's Risky Journey
Following the star the Star of Bethlehem was dangerous and a risky journey for the Magi. They had to travel through enemy territory to witness the infant Jesus in Judea.
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Star of Bethlehem, New Twist to an Old Mystery
A collector of ancient coins with astronomical symbols, Michael Molnar, Doctor of Astronomy, purchased a coin which appears to solve the Star of Bethlehem's mystery.
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History of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
The Middle East has endured years of conflict and war between its people. This divergence has lead groups and individuals to take extreme actions.
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British Woman Formed Modern Iraq
A key shaper of today's Iraq was a powerful British woman who knew the value of Iraqi oil and advised Winston Churchill not to give power to the Shiites.
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The Horns of Hattin
Fought on the 4th of July 1187, the Battle at the Horns of Hattin was a resounding victory for the Muslim forces of Saladin over the Christian army of the Crusader States
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Knights Templar
The Knights Templar were originally a small group of warriors sworn to defend pilgrims and the Holy places of Christendom in the Holy Land.
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Faris: Medieval Muslim Horsemen
In the 11th and 12th Centuries AD, Muslim Cavalry was comprised of a limited number of Mamluks - warriors of slave origins - and faris. Faris is Arabic for horseman.
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The Inconvenient Palestine Facts
Understandably emotional arguments about Israel and Palestine ignore or obscure indisputable facts. Acceptance of the truth might promote accommodation.
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A History of Dhofar
Dhofar is a lush tropical region in the Arabian kingdom of Oman but it was not always a part of Oman and in the 1960s tried to assert its independence in civil war.
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The Templars Genealogy Quest
If it wasn't gold and silver the Templars were searching for, what was it?
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The Kurds
This article explores the ancient history of the Kurdish people, their history, culture, religion and their struggle for autonomy and independence.
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Palestine and Israel: A History
The Palestinian Israeli conflict has been occurring for years. Through this article you will be able to gain a better understanding of the issue.
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The Gandhara Art
The Invasions of Alexander led to the spread of Greek cultural and artistic influences. The Gandhara Art form was born as Buddhism encountered Greek ideas and techniques
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The Code of Hammurabi
Hammurabi, a ruler of ancient Babylon, codified existing laws into a single code of laws. The codification is considered to be milestone in the history of law.
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Justice and the Laws of Moses
The tone of the Laws of Moses as found in the dictum 'an eye for an eye' was aimed at ensuring justice and fairness to the offender and the hurt in an equal measure.
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Alternative Jewish Homelands
There were attempts, both sincere and fanciful, to solve the 'Jewish Question' by setting up a Jewish homeland in unlikely places far away from the Middle East.
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Jewish Rulers in Foreign Lands-I
Though a people without a nation for millennia, the Jews produced powerful rulers at some points of history in the countries where they lived in exile.
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Jewish Rulers in Foreign Lands-II
The Jews, though victims of social bigotry, rose to be powerful rulers in some countries in modern times as well as in the ancient times.
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Iranian Jews and the Cash Offer
The Jews in Iran have lived under discrimination especially after the Islamization of the country in the seventh century AD, despite their ancient roots there.
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Purim, the Festival of Deliverance
The Jews (Israelites) are among the most ancient races with a well-recorded history and a number of festivals celebrated since thousands of years. Purim is one of them.
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The Divisions of Islam
Shia constitute 10 to 15 percent of Muslims, but are actually a majority around the oil-rich rim of the Persian Gulf.
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The Wahhabi Sect:
Members of the Saudi royal family, and many other Saudis as well, are adherents of the Wahhabi cult, a fundamentalist sect of Islam.
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The Fall of Constantinople, 1453
In 1453 CE, the city of Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Empire. The conquest was one of history's turning points.
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Forced Expulsion of European Jews
Renaissance and Industrial Revolution urbanized the Europeans and quickened their advance, while the marginalized Jews lagged behind and became objects of discrimination.
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Arab Welcome to Migrant Jews
The unending Arab Israeli rivalry since 1948 has made it appear that the Jews and Arabs are eternal enemies. In fact, Arabs had welcomed the Diaspora Jews to Palestine.
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