Al-Andalus

** UNIT 5 AL-ANDALUS ** In 711, there was a civil war in the Visigothic kingdom on the Iberian Peninsula between **Rodrigo** and the family of **Witiza**, a former king. Witiza’s family asked the Muslims in North Africa for help. The governor of this region, **Musa**, and his general **Tariq**, took their troops to the Peninsula and defeated Rodrigo at the **Battle of Guadalete**. However, Musa and Tariq did not gave power back to the Visigoths. In just few years, they conquered the Peninsula, except for the north-west. This territory was called **Al-Andalus**, and was ruled by an **emir** or governor, under the **Ummayad Caliphate of Damascus**. In 750, the Ummayad family was assassinated, but one of its members, Abd-al-Rahman, managed to escape. He arrived to the Iberian peninsula, where he took power and became **Emir of Córdoba** with the name of Abd-al-Rahman I. Although independent emirs, they recognised the religious authority of Caliph in Bagdad. The Caliph governed with the **hayib**, or prime minister, and **visir**, or ministers. **Walis**, or governors, controlled the provinces. The **Caliphate of Córdoba** was the most brilliant period of Al-Andalus. In 976, however, the general **Al-Mansur** imposed a military government. He carried out more than fifty **raids** against Christian kingdoms in the north. After Al-Mansur died, fighting continued in Al-Andalus. In 1031, the Caliphate was divided into **taifas**, or small kingdoms, such as Seville, Toledo and Zaragoza. To avoid attacks from the north, the taifas paid taxes called **parias** to the Christian kings. After the fall of Toledo into Christian hands in 1085, the Muslims asked for help from the **Almoravids**, who were Berber warriors from North Africa. The Almoravids went to Iberia to stop the Christian advance. They reunited Al-Andalus. In 1147, the **Almohads**, who were also Berbers, took the power. The Christian armies united and defeated the Almohads at the Battle of **Las Navas de Tolosa** in 1212. After, the Christians conquered almost all of Al-Andalus. The kingdom of Granada became the last Muslim territory of the Iberian Peninsula. It covered the provinces of Granada, Almería, Málaga and the eastern of Cádiz. It was governed by the Nasr family. This kingdom was very weak, it was the **vassal of Castile**. Their rulers had to pay taxes to the Castilian kings, and help them in time of war. Finally, the kingdom fell in the hands of **Catholic Monarchs** in 1492. Al-Andalus had a prosperous economy. Most of the population worked in agriculture. The main crops were cereals, grapes and olives. The Muslims introduced innovations, which had long-lasting consequences, such as the **irrigation** techniques or the introduction of new **crops**: cotton, indigo, rice, sugarcane, etc. In the cities, high quality craftwork was produced, such as ceramics, leather goods, gold and silverwork, weapons, dyes and silks. Al-Andalus was the centre of very active trade. Andalusian crafts were sold in other regions of the world. In exchange, the merchants bought slaves and gold. Two differents coins were mainly used in these transactions: the gold **dinar** and the silver **dirhem**. After conquering the Peninsula, the Muslims were tolerant towards Christians and Jewes. Andalusian society was made up of people with different customs and religions. The most powerful group was formed by the **conquerors** and their **descendants**, although there were great differences into this group: The rest of the population was organised according to religious criteria: Under Islam, cities were very important centres of economic, religious and cultural life. Muslim cities were very big compared to those in other parts of Western Europe. Muslim cities had walls with several gates, wich were closed at night. The main area was the **medina** or old city, which contained the main buildings, including the **aljama** or main mosque. Around the medina there were the **arrabales** or workers’ districts, where the work crafts were located. The centre of political life was the **alcázar**, a fortified area in the highest part of the city. Social and economic life was centred on the **souk**, or market. The merchants kept their goods in large warehouses, known as **alhóndigas**. Today, we can see remains from the Muslim period in many Spanish cities. A splendid culture developed in Al-Andalus. The Muslims played a principal role in the history of Spain. Their presence illuminated the Iberian Peninsula while the rest of Europe was engulfed in darkness. Under their rule, Muslims made Spain a center for learning and knowledge. Intellectuals, like the Muslim Averorres and the Jew Maimonides lived in this period. The Muslims became leaders in math, science, medicine, astronomy, navigation, etc. The legacy of Al-Andalus can be found in the folklore of Spain. The influence on the Spanish language is very important, too. Art, especially architecture, flourished in Al-Andalus. Painting and sculpture were used to decorate buildings. Islamic architecture had certain characteristics: Although mosques were the most numerous public buildings, ornate palaces, castles and public baths were also built.
 * SOCIAL STUDIES. Summaries in English **
 * AL-ANDALUS **
 * THE INDEPENDENT EMIRATE **
 * THE CALIPHATE OF CÓRDOBA **
 * Abd-al-Rahman III ** inherited the throne in 912. He fought successfully against internal revolts and Christian attacks. In 929 he became **Caliph**: the political and religious leader.
 * THE TAIFAS **
 * ALMORAVIDS AND ALMOHADS **
 * THE NASRID KINGDOM OF GRANADA **
 * ECONOMIC ACTIVITY OF AL-ANDALUS **
 * SOCIAL AND HUMAN STRUCTURE **
 * The **Arabs** had the best land, and were in charge of government.
 * The **Berbers** were most numerous, but had fewer privileges. They sometimes rebelled.
 * The **Muladíes** were former Christians who embraced the Islam.
 * The **Mozarabs** were Christians who continued to practise their religion. They paid taxes and after the 9th century, many emigrated to the north, to escape persecution.
 * The **Jews** played a significant role in the economy. Jewish districts were in a separate part of the cities.
 * MUSLIM CITIES **
 * THE ANDALUSIAN LEGACY **
 * ARCHITECTURE **
 * Poor **building materials**, which were covered with abundant decoration geometrical or based in plant motifs, but also they used **calligraphy** to cover the walls.
 * There was a play on **light** and **shade**, using stained glass, shutters, and reflections on tiles. A love of **water** can be seen in fountains, pools and waterfalls.
 * Islamic buildings were supported by columns, pillars and **horseshoe arches**, or arches with decorative plasterwork.
 * Buildings usually had **wooden roofs**. Some buildings had **domes**, which were often richly decorated.