1x1 - The Messenger

May 8, 2001

Introduces the dramatic story of the rise of Islam with the extraordinary life of the prophet Muhammad and his simple but revolutionary message. This episode covers the revelation and early writing of the Koran; the creation of the first Mosque; the persecution suffered by the first Muslims; and the major battles fought by Muhammad and his followers to establish the new religion. The rapid religious, cultural, and political expansion of Islam overwhelms the empires of Persia and Byzantium, creating a new empire larger than Rome.

1x2 - The Awakening

May 8, 2001

Culture and goods flow freely throughout a large empire. Islamic principles and influence are spread further, affecting the intellectual development of the West. Arabic becomes the language of learning, and achievements in art, architecture, science, and medicine flourish. This episode also tells the story of the Crusades and describes the recapture of Jerusalem by Saladin the Great. The episode ends with the devastating invasion of Islamic lands by the Mongols.

1x3 - The Ottomans

May 8, 2001

The dramatic transformation of Islam resulting from the Mongol invasion. Nomads enlisted by Muslims to fight the Mongols stake their own claims, and become known as Ottomans. The Ottomans transform the Islamic world, creating a new empire that expands westward into Christian territories. Suleiman the Magnificent shapes the Ottomans into a military powerhouse and an empire of extreme wealth and sophistication, which threatens the great power centers of Europe and the empire of the Persian Safavids to the east, before falling victim to enemies from within.

Ben Kingsley

Narrator