The artistic patronage of the second Qajar ruler Fath Ali Shah (r. 1797-1834) is well known. Less studied is his patronage of the major shrines within his lands, in Qom, […]

This lecture is based on Professor Matthee’s book, Angels Tapping at the Wine-shop’s Door*: A History of Alcohol in the Islamic Middle East.  (*from Hafez). The book debunks the myth […]

  David Chaffetz in his book traces the role of horses in empire building from the Danube to the Yellow River, from their early domestication in pre-history up to a […]