Michael Rank's Blog, page 22
January 8, 2013
HFM 011 | Ancient Middle East Civilization
In this episode of the History in Five Minutes Podcast, we look at Ancient Middle East civilization. We look at the influence of Roman and Persian culture on the Arab tribes and Christian heretics that would one day form early Islamic civilization.
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FMC Podcast 011 | Ancient Middle East Civilization
In this episode of the Five Minute Courses Podcast, we look at Ancient Middle East civilization. We look at the influence of Roman and Persian culture on the Arab tribes and Christian heretics that would one day form early Islamic civilization.
Like this podcast?
December 6, 2012
HFM 010 | The Fall of Constantinople in 1453
In this episode of the History in Five Minutes Podcast, we look at the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks. Most people only know about the event thanks to the immortal song “Istanbul, not Constantinople” by They Might Be Giants, but they don’t know who the fighters were on each side or why it is a historically significant event. The first question is easy to answer – the Byzantine Greeks fought the Ottoman Turks. The second question is more difficult, but suffice it to say that some historians have good reasons for arguing that May 29, 1453 marks the day that the Middle Ages ended. We will cover all of this…. in 6 minutes!
FMC Podcast 010 | The Fall of Constantinople in 1453
In this episode of the Five Minute Courses Podcast, we look at the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks. Most people only know about the event thanks to the immortal song “Istanbul, not Constantinople” by They Might Be Giants, but they don’t know who the fighters were on each side or why it is a historically significant event. The first question is easy to answer – the Byzantine Greeks fought the Ottoman Turks. The second question is more difficult, but suffice it to say that some historians have good reasons for arguing that May 29, 1453 marks the day that the Middle Ages ended. We will cover all of this…. in less than 6 minutes!
November 22, 2012
HFM 009 | What is the Quran and why do Muslims riot over it?
In this episode of the History in Five Minutes Podcast, we look at why the Qur’an is so revered in Islam, and why its destruction has produced riots in recent years. The reasons are complicated, but they have to do with how the book is revered in the religion. We’ll get into all those details and more… in less than 5 minutes.
FMC Podcast 009 | What is the Quran and why do Muslims riot over it?
In this episode of the Five Minute Courses Podcast, we look at why the Quran is so revered in Islam, and why its destruction has produced riots in recent years. The reasons are complicated, but they have to do with how the book is revered in the religion. We’ll get into all those details and more… in less than 5 minutes.
November 21, 2012
HFM 008 | The Fall of the Ottoman Empire
Most people think of furniture when they hear ‘Ottoman’, but it was actually a highly influential empire that lasted for six hundred years and controlled the entire Middle East, North Africa, and much of Eastern Europe. In this episode of the Five Minute Courses Podcast, we look at the fall of the Ottoman Empire, which when it broke apart after the First World War completely re-altered the Middle East. The effects of its fall are still being felt to this day.
FMC Podcast 008 | The Fall of the Ottoman Empire
In this episode of the Five Minute Courses Podcast, we look at the fall of the Ottoman Empire. This empire lasted for six hundred years, from 1300 to 1922. It controlled the entire Middle East, North Africa, and much of Eastern Europe. When it broke apart after the first world war it’s daughter states created the modern Middle East. Its fall is still being felt to this day.
November 5, 2012
HFM 007 | A Very Short History of the Crusades
In this episode of the History in Five Minutes Podcast, we look at the history of the Crusades. The Catholic Church mounted multiple military campaigns against Middle Eastern Islamic states to recapture Jerusalem from 1095 to 1291. The crusades ultimately failed in their objective, but in the process they created deeper connections between the Middle East and Europe. The legacy of the Crusades is hotly disputed and remain vivid in the imaginations of Easterners and Westerners to this day.
FMC Podcast 007 | A Very Short History of the Crusades
In this episode of the Five Minute Courses Podcast, we look at the history of the Crusades. The Catholic Church mounted multiple military campaigns against Middle Eastern Islamic states to recapture Jerusalem from 1095 to 1291. The crusades ultimately failed in their objective, but in the process they created deeper connections between the Middle East and Europe. The legacy of the Crusades is hotly disputed and remain vivid in the imaginations of Easterners and Westerners to this day.
