The period of the Abbasid Caliphate (750–1258) has long been recognized as the formative period of Islamic civilization with its various achievements in the areas of science, literature, and culture.

In the 8th century Middle East, a new dynasty seized control of one of the world’s greatest empires – the Islamic Caliphate.

Most of the money dates back to the early Islamic period, when the region was part of the Abbasid caliphate. The coins weigh 845g (30oz) and would have been worth a huge sum when they were buried ...

IS militants paraded through Raqqa after the "caliphate" was proclaimed in June ... there and renamed it Raqqa ("the marsh"). In 771, the Abbasid Caliph al-Mansour chose Raqqa to serve as a ...

In the 8th century Middle East, a new dynasty seized control of one of the world’s greatest empires – the Islamic Caliphate.

Main routes of the Muslim slave trade in Africa. Credit: Aliesin / Rowanwindwhistler / Wikimedia Commons Starting in 861, the Abbasid caliphate went through one of the typical conflicts that ...