Share this postJ’accuse“The Extravagant Sect”Copy linkFacebookEmailNotesMore“The Extravagant Sect”Who Are the Syrian Alawites?J’accuseJun 16, 2025∙ Paid41Share this postJ’accuse“The Extravagant Sect”Copy linkFacebookEmailNotesMore15ShareGet 5% off foreverBy the Marquis On his 1616 voyage to India, the Italian explorer Pietro Della Valle, passing through the city of Anah (modern day northern Iraq) describes his encounter with “an extravagant s…This post is for paid subscribersSubscribeAlready a paid subscriber? Sign inPreviousNext