Context:

Mentioned as one of the adventure and romantic stories Kennedy loved reading as a child

Context:

Referenced multiple times throughout the episode as a source for stories about Harun al-Rashid and Baghdad. The hosts read a passage from it at the beginning and discuss how it shaped perceptions of Baghdad as a mythical city.

Context:

Referenced as a comparison to the storytelling structure in 120 Days of Sodom, where prostitutes relate stories to the libertines

Context:

Tom compares Herodotus' work to 'the Arabian Nights or great collections of short stories' when describing how Herodotus' history is also a great compilation of stories and wonders.

Context:

McNaughton is described as 'translating the Arabian Nights from Arabic' while on top of an elephant entering Kabul

Context:

Referenced as the source of legendary stories associated with Baghdad - 'the city of the Arabian Knights, of Harun al-Rashid, Ali Baba, all that kind of thing.' Tom mentions they will examine 'the Arabian Knights and the degree to which they actually did originate in Baghdad.'