Treasures of the Medieval Islamicate World: Stories of Empire and the Everyday

The period from the 8th to the 13th centuries in the Islamicate East was characterised by remarkable intellectual flourishing, scientific innovation, vibrant intercultural exchange, and dynamic participation in Silk Road trade networks.

This era, often referred to as the Islamic Golden Age, parallels the European Renaissance in its transformative impact on knowledge production, artistic expression, and cross-cultural interaction.   

This course will offer a window into life in the medieval Islamicate East, during a period of major transformation and reform. Students will be introduced to the sources for this history, in a region spanning from Iran to Afghanistan, Central Asia and western China, in interactive lectures from Oxford Lifelong Learning researchers and their colleagues. 

Please note: this event will close to enrolments at 23:59 on 25 March 2026. 

Programme details
Saturday 28th March, 2026 

9.45am
Registration 

10am
Caravans of Desire: Empires & Economies in the Medieval Islamicate World  
Hugh Kennedy 

11.15am 
Tea/coffee break

11.45am  
The Barmakids: A Glamorous and Tragic Family 
Arezou Azad 

1pm
Lunch break

2pm 
From Scribes to Servers: Opportunities & Challenges in Digitisation 
Mateen Arghandehpour 

3.15pm 
Tea/coffee break 

3.45pm 
Exploring Everyday Lives Through Documents 
Nadia Vidro 

5pm  
End of day  

For full details and to book your place please visit Oxford Lifelong Learning's website.