Muslim Spain

Conversion?

• Islamic society by 10th and 11th centuries

• Berbers, dhimmi, and taxation

• Not forced, but gradual

Mosque/Mezquita of Córdoba

Mosque/Mezquita of Córdoba

Mosque/Mezquita of Córdoba

• Built on site of Visigothic cathedral

• First divided between Christian and Muslim (until 784)– Abd al-Rahman I

• Expansion– Successive additions from

784-990

Mosque/Mezquita of Córdoba

• Great Mosque of Damascus as model

• Building finished by 987

• Connected to palace by elevated walkway

Mosque: key features

• Hypostyle: roof supported by columns (856)

• Red and white arches (similar to Aachen)

• Mihrab (prayer niche)• Tile work, calligraphy,

architectural forms

Martyrs of Córdoba

• Isaac, 851

• Qadi

• Eulogius

• Other martyrs

Córdoba Prospers

• Economic revitalization from 9th -10th century

• Standing army

• Chancery

• Cultural influences from Baghdad

Consolidation

• Challenges of provincial rulers = ka’id

• Muwallad identity

Caliphate of Córdoba: 10th century

• Abd al-Rahman III (881-969)– Fatimids of north Africa

• Limited Christian threat

• Medina al-Zahara

• Economic prosperity

Caliph

“Because the most high God…has shown his preference for us…and has extended our fame throughout the world and exalted our authority…we have decided that we should be addressed by the title Prince of Believers…Anyone, other than ourselves, who uses it, does so improperly and is an intruder and arrogates to himself a title that he does not merit.”

Taifa states

• Collapse of caliphate in early 11th century

• Splintering into individual kingdoms, taifas

Almoravids

• Ibn Yasin’s mission to Sanhaja in early 11th century

• Sparks a revivalist Islamic movement

• Crossing to Spain

Christian Kingdoms of Spain11th and 12th centuries

• León

• Navarre

• Castile

• Aragon

Almohads

• Overthrow Almoravids in Morocco in 1120

• Expand into Spain and maintain a hold on this region until 1212

• Don’t always honor dhimmi status of Jews and Christians

Jews under Muslim Rule

• Authority

• Cultural flowering

• Golden Age?

• Almoravids and Almohads

Mozarabs

• Daily life

• Language– Christians and Arabic

• Theology

Mozarabs

• Tombstone in Toledo for Miguel Semeno

• In Latin: “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. This the grave of Miguel Semeno. He died on Sunday 4 November in the Era 1194”

• In Arabic: “In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. Mikayil ibn Semeno was he who went forth to Allah, with His mercy…May Allah give light to him”

Intellectual Heritage

• Averroes (1126-1198)

• Maimonides (1135-1204)

Reconquest

• Toledo and Alfonso VI (1040-1109)

• Taifas and tributes

• Alfonso takes city in 1085

Reconquest: el Cid

• Rodrigo Díaz (1043-1099)

• Early military career

• Vassal of Fernando I and Alfonso VI

• Establishes principality of Valencia

Song of the Cid

El Cid

Reconquest: major events

• Navas de Tolosa, 1212

• James I of Aragon (1208-1276)– Valencia and the Mediterranean coast

• Fernando III (1199 or 1201-1252)– Córdoba (1236)– Seville (1248)