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Last viewed: 1 day ago
Uploaded: 05 Feb 2026 (8 months ago) · Shared: 19 Feb 2026
Duration: 2:42:27
Uploaded: 05 Feb 2026 (8 months ago) · Shared: 19 Feb 2026
Duration: 2:42:27
Youtube Description
🏛️ How did the Sasanians really fall — and what does their collapse tell us about the rise of Islam? In this episode of Real Talk, we’re joined byhistorian of Late Antique Central and West Asia Dr. Khodadad Rezakhani 🎙️📚 for a wide-ranging conversation on one of the most consequential turning points in Late Antique history: the fall of the Sasanian Empire and the emergence of Islam as an imperial power.
🔍 In this episode, we explore:
🏛️ How framing the Roman–Persian War within Late Antiquity has reshaped the field and where it may have created blind spots
📜 Why the absence of insider Sasanian sources has limited the development of Sasanian Studies
🔥 Whether the Sasanian Empire was truly a Zoroastrian religious autocracy
🕋 How the Prophet Muhammad and his community understood and related to Sasanian power
⚔️ What really explains the speed and success of the Arab/Islamic conquests
🧠 How modern Iranian political and nationalist discourse shapes contemporary scholarship
🗣️ Why the history of the Persian language is better understood as adoption and transformation rather than resistance
🔮 What the future of Sasanian Studies might look like
📚 This episode challenges narratives of sudden collapse, religious determinism, and effortless conquest. Offering instead a nuanced picture of empire, continuity, and transformation at the end of Antiquity.
Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe ❤️ and let us know your thoughts in the comments below! 👇
🎧 Real Talk Podcast
Hosted by Terron Poole & Roxanna Irani
📺 Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@UC70Or92YlhfYSrZNrQzx23w
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Who are Skepsislamica?We spotlight perspectives in Islamic history that often go unnoticed, keeping you informed on the latest academic research and discussions. Our content is non-sectarian and grounded in rigorous academic approaches to Islamic studies, offering deep and thoughtful analysis.
What is Islam?One of the major religions of the world, Islam literally translates to "submission," as a follower of Islam (Muslims) devotes their life to that of their God. The religion began with the teachings of Muhammad in the 7th century. The theology of Islam is based on the Qur'an, which was given to Muhammad by God. Some of the major fundamental principles of Islam include the Five Pillars, which hope to unite all Muslims into a community. Two different factions of Muslims exist - the majority are known as Sunni, with a small percentage known as Shi'a - both predominantly reside throughout the Middle East. Muhammad died in 632 AD and the religion of Islam formally started after his death. The Quran was formally compiled and finalised in 650 AD, prior to which it was 'memorised' and written across many parchments.
What is Roman?In historiography, ancient Rome is Roman civilization. From the founding of the city of Rome in the 8th century BC to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD, encompassing the Roman Kingdom, Roman Republic and Roman Empire until the fall of the western empire. The civilization began as an Italic settlement in the Italian peninsula, dating from the 8th century BC, that grew into the city of Rome and which subsequently gave its name to the empire over which it ruled and to the widespread civilisation the empire developed. The Roman empire expanded to become one of the largest empires in the ancient world, though still ruled from the city, with an estimated 50 to 90 million inhabitants (roughly 20% of the world's population) and covering 5.0 million square kilometres at its height in AD 117.
