Context:

Mentioned as a comparison to other works of literature being produced across Eurasia in the same period as The Tale of Genji, described as having 'jin and all that' and 'people hiding in vases'

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 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.'

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