Contrary to the white marble of the ancient Mediterranean we see today, the ancient Greeks and Romans painted their statues in vibrant colors
Dr. Elizabeth Macaulay
Sinan, one of the most famous architects in the Ottoman Empire, draws inspiration from the Hagia Sophia and arguably surpasses it
Mimar Sinan, Şehzade Mosque, Istanbul
Magnificent blue-and-white tiles adorn this room in the Topkapı Palace, Istanbul.
Topkapı Palace tiles
An elaborate mausoleum was a monument of the Samanid dynasty's new, thriving capital of Bukhara—and was one of the great architectural masterpieces of Central Asia from the early tenth century.
The Samanid Mausoleum, Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
Transform your course, from a live Smarthistory webinar: Dr. Elizabeth Macaulay on the Dome of the Rock
From a live Smarthistory webinar: Dr. Elizabeth ...
More than tombs? Scholars once thought Petra was only a large necropolis, but archaeology shows it was much more.
Petra: rock-cut façades
Bayt Farhi, a Sephardic palace in Ottoman Damascus, helps us to learn about the complex history of Damascus's Jewish quarter and ongoing challenges with contemporary restorations
Bayt Farhi, a Jewish house in Damascus
Learn about the complex history and contemporary restorations at Bayt Farhi, a Sephardic palace in Ottoman Damascus
Bayt Farhi, a Jewish house in Damascus
The Dome of the Rock. The Great Mosque in Damascus. The Great Mosque in Córdoba. These remarkable achievements are all Umayyad.
The Umayyads, an introduction
Once a temple to Zeus, the Great Mosque of Damascus, has survived the Syrian Civil War, and stands as one of the world's most important historic structures.
The Great Mosque of Damascus
Two countries honor their love of democracy with a huge statue of a woman! Neither let women vote, though.
Light of democracy, the Statue of Liberty
The Ottoman Turks turned this Byzantine church into a mosque, but a few adaptations to the space were necessary.
Hagia Sophia as a mosque
The ancient Nabateans cut Petra, their monumental city, from cliffs of rose red stone.
Petra: The rose red city of the ...
Located in Mecca, this square shrine is the holiest site in Islam. Muslims direct their prayers toward it.
The Kaaba
In their religious practice, Muslims follow five fundamental tenets—learn about them here.
The Five Pillars of Islam
One of the world’s main monotheistic faiths, Islam was founded by Muhammad, a merchant from Mecca.
Introduction to Islam
After the Ottomans conquered Constantinople, the sultan repurposed this church, adding slender “pencil” minarets.
Hagia Sophia as a mosque
Two countries honor their love of democracy with a huge statue of a woman! Neither let women vote, though.
The light of democracy — examining the ...
One of the world’s main monotheistic faiths, Islam was founded by Muhammad, a merchant from Mecca.
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