The Samanids, rulers of Central Asia: Art and culture

by Dr Katherine Hughes

Tuesday 22 November 2016
Hughes - Samanids (2)

This extended talk will introduce the dynasty of the Samanids, rulers of an empire (819-1005).  They deserve to be better known for their history and many spectacular cultural achievements.  Their celebrated art and architecture will be explained within its historical context.

This early Islamic Dynasty holds a special place in the historical consciousness of the Iranian world with a “mystique” connected to the fact that they are seen to have saved the legacy of ancient Iran from extinction and united Transoxiana and Khurasan under Persian speaking rulership for the only period in its history.

Katherine Hughes gained her PhD from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London in 2015.  She studied for her BA and MA at University College London and Berlin Free University.  She has travelled widely and carried out long periods of fieldwork in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Turkey. 

More Upcoming Talks

Talks are held in the Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne, starting at 8pm.

Complimentary tea and coffee are available from 7.15pm.

27 Sep
2016

China, the Modern Nation

by Jane Macartney

Tuesday 27 September 2016
In the 20th century few countries experienced such dramatic political, social and cultural change as China. The recently retired China Foreign Correspondent for The Times is well placed to offer an exciting new account of its recent history.
11 Oct
2016

Without Let or Hindrance: the story of passports

by Martin Lloyd

Tuesday 11 October 2016
The evolution of an indispensable, if sometimes taken-for-granted, document.