The Abbasids and the Golden Age of Islam is a remarkable study. It's a fun trip through myth-history when considering the opulence of Baghdad contrasted with the state of western Europe. To make this point with my classes I like to share the diplomatic exchanges with Charlemagne and Harun al-Rashid. This story by no means does justice to the metropolis of Baghdad but is does help to show the interconnectedness of the post-Roman world that young people may not consider.

Gift Exchanges Between Harun al-Rashid and Charlemagne

Thank you for sharing the wonderful resources for this era! 

-Sam Knopik