Islamic culture in spain pt2

al-Andalus

Muslim-ruled territories of the Iberian Peninsula (711–1492).

Reconquista

Christian campaigns to retake Iberian territory from Muslim rulers.

Fitna

Civil war or internal strife; especially refers to the chaos that led to the collapse of the Caliphate of Córdoba.

Convivencia

Period of relative coexistence among Muslims, Christians, and Jews under Muslim rule.

Mozarabs

Christians living under Muslim rule who adopted aspects of Islamic culture.

Muladíes

Iberian Christians who converted to Islam.

Emir

Muslim ruler or governor; title used before claiming the caliphate.

Caliph

Religious and political leader of the Muslim community.

Taifa

Independent Muslim kingdom that emerged after the collapse of centralized rule.

Parias

Tribute paid by Muslim Taifas to Christian kingdoms for protection.

Vassalage

Political relationship in which Granada acknowledged Castilian supremacy in exchange for survival.

Umayyads of al-Andalus

Dynasty ruling from Córdoba (756–1031).

Almoravids

Berber dynasty that reunified al-Andalus (1086–1146).

Almohads

Reformist Berber dynasty; stricter religious policies (1146–1230s).

Nasrids

Last Muslim dynasty in Iberia, rulers of Granada (1238–1492).

Moriscos

Muslims forced to convert to Christianity after 1492.

Alhambra

“The Red Fortress,” royal palace-fortress of the Nasrids.

Generalife

Summer palace and garden complex of the Nasrid rulers.

Acequia

Irrigation canal.

Acequia Real (Acequia del Sultán)

Main water channel bringing water from the Darro River.

Puerta de la Compuerta

Gate regulating water flow (floodgate).

Albercón

Large water storage pool.

Alcazaba

Fortified military citadel.

Medina

Walled urban core of a city.

Ziryab

Cultural figure who transformed Andalusi music, fashion, and cuisine. Added 5th string to lute.

Ibn Rushd (Averroes)

Philosopher born in Córdoba; key figure in transmitting Aristotle to Europe. Important for overlap between religion and reason.

Muwashshaḥ

Poetic and musical form developed in al-Andalus.

Nuba

Classical Andalusi musical suite preserved in North Africa.

al-Jannah al-mafqudah

“The Lost Paradise” — nostalgic memory of al-Andalus.

Dhimmi

Protected non-Muslim subject (Christian or Jewish) under Islamic rule.

Jizya

Tax paid by dhimmis in exchange for protection.

Al-Andalus dominant school of thought

Maliki School

Timeline of al-Andalus (main political periods)

• 711 – Islamic conquest (Ṭāriq ibn Ziyād)

• 756–929 – Umayyad Emirate of Córdoba

• 929–1031 – Umayyad Caliphate of Córdoba

• 1031–1086 – First Taifa period

• 1086–1146 – Almoravid rule

• 1146–1230s – Almohad rule

• 1230s – Second Taifa period

• 1238–1492 – Nasrid Emirate of Granada

• 1492 – Fall of Granada (end of al-Andalus)

711-crosses into Iberia

Ṭāriq ibn Ziyād

• Defeats Visigothic King Roderic (Battle of Guadalete)

• Beginning of al-Andalus (Muslim-ruled Iberia)

Abd al-Raḥmān I

Umayyad prince escaped from Damascus.

756-stablishes an independent emirate

• Political independence from Abbasids (no caliphal claim)

756-788

Great Mosque of Córdoba

785

Abd al-Raḥmān III

929-eighth ruler of the Umayyad state in Andalusia. 

He proclaimed himself Caliph, independent of the rest of the Islamic Empire

Golden age of cordoba (Height of Muslim power in Iberia), He commissioned the construction of Madinat al-Zahra

Collapse of Umayyad Caliphate

came to an end with the death of Al-Hakam in 976 AD. Muhammad ibn Abi Amir (Al-Mansur) then established the Amiri state, declaring himself the ruler of al-Andalus.

Muhammad ibn Abi Amir (Al-Mansur)

In 976 Al-Mansur, an ambitious palace official, becomes the regent of 11-year-old Caliph Hisham II, son of al-Hakam. Takes power. Al-Mansur leads a series of military campaigns against Christian fortresses and towns for two decades, relying on new Berber forces from North Africa.

Abd al-Rahman III's library reportedly had

400,000 volumes. 

The Green Revolution

the introduction of new agricultural technology, innovative irrigation practices, and many new crops to Al-Andalus. This dramatic agricultural transformation was known as

noria

waterwheel

qanat

underground water channel

Berbers

made up the bulk of the invaders, lived in the mountainous regions of what is now the north of Portugal and in the Meseta Central. They organized several rebellions in demand of equality for every Muslim living in Al-Andalus, as Arabs marginalized them.

Mozarabs

Christians who had lived under Muslim rule for generations, gradually adopting many Arabic customs, artistic influences, and vocabulary while preserving their Christian rituals and Latin-based languages. 

Transition to Taifas

Instability following al-mansur’s death led to fitna and turmoil. 1031, collapse Led to the political fragmentation of al-Andalus, into Taifas.

Parias

Taifa kingdom’s payment to christian rulers for military support and protection.

Ibn Hazm

(994–1064) a poet, theologian, and philosopher who supported the Umayyads. Was very against the use of parias and collaborating with the enemies.

Fall of Toledo

In 1085, Alfonso VI, king of León and Castile takes advantage of instability in Toledo Taifa and seizes control. Is turning point for christians and wake up call for muslims.

Al-Mu’tamid

In 1086 ruler of Sevilla Taifa who calls for help from Almoravids to defend al-Andalus from Christians following the fall of Toledo.

Yūsuf ibn Tāshfīn

• The Almoravid ruler crossed into the Iberian Peninsula and won the Battle of Sagrajas.

• Observing the weakness of the taifas, he later returned, gradually annexing their territories.

• This action brought much of Muslim Spain under Almoravid control.

• Five years later, the Almoravids controlled the whole of Al-Andalús, governed primarily from Marrakech.

First significant Almoravid win against Alfonso 6th

• Battle of Sagrajas 1086

Important almoravid ruler

Yūsuf ibn Tāshfīn

Characteristics of Almoravid rule

• Military Success and Defense of Al-Andalus

• Political Unification

•  Religious and Legal Reform (strict Islamic orthodoxy based on Maliki Sunni Islam)

• Architectural and Cultural Influence (Introduced North African architectural styles)

Almohads

Berber dynasty that Overthrew Almoravids in 1147.

Almohad founder

Ibn Tumart

• of the masmuda tribe

• preached a strict form of monotheism

Almohad ruler responsible for militarizing the movement

Abd al-Muʾmin

• the sucessor of ibn tumart

Almohads significant win in battle

Battle of Alarcos (1195).

Almohads characteristics

• vast empire from North africa and across Al-Andalus

• Promoted a purified, stricter form of Islam, rejecting the more legalistic and traditionalist approach of the Almoravids

• Kutubiyya Mosque in Marrakesh
  

Battle marking Decline of Almohads

Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa (1212)

Fall of Almohads

By the mid-13th century, the Marinid dynasty replaced them in Morocco, and Muslim Spain fragmented into small Taifa kingdoms again.

Mudejar

Muslims who continued living in areas taken by the Christians during the Reconquest (8th-15th centuries). 

Also blended form of architecture

Granada Zirid Dynasty Founder

Zawi ibn Ziri founds Taifa of Granada in 1013.

• Moves the capital from Medina Elvira to Granada

• Eventually poisoned while visiting Morocco

Second Zirid Ruler

Habus ibn Maksan, rules 1025–38.

• rules with his jewish vizier

Third and most significant Zirid ruler

Badis ibn Habus (1038–c.1073)

• Zirid dynasty reaches zenith under his rule

Fall of Zirid dynasty

1090, Almoravids take control

• lacked religious tolerance of zirids

• 1107: Granada becomes capital of muslim spain

• Almohads take control in 1154

Nasrid Granada Emirate dynasty Founder

Muhammad Ibn al-Ahmar (1238-1273)

• Founds dynasty in 1232,

• Alhambra is named after him (“the red”

Granada becomes Nasrid Capital in

1237

Granada status

Vassal of Castilian kingdom

Nasrid Ruling style

• A head of state (the emir or sultan),

• A council of viziers and secretaries,

• An advisory council (shūrā),

Regional officials overseeing different parts of the kingdom.

Yusuf l

1333-1354, notable nasrid ruler. Eventually assassinated while praying. under his rule:

• Alhambra reached its peak

• conflict with  siege of Algeciras (1342–1344) ended with truce

Muhammad V

1354–1391, longest reigning ruler. supported castile during war of two peters

Decline and Fall of Emirate

Caused by:

• Increased Castilian aggression following nasrid raids, caused heavy parias for 40 years

• Constant internal power struggles

Last Muslim ruler of Granada

Boabdil

• overthrew his father in 1482

• kindom was divided in half

Union of Castile and Aragon

Marriage of Isabella and Ferdinand in 1469

War of Granada

Launched in 1484, combined medieval practices:

• appealed to pope, became christian conquest against muslims

Christian stronghold

Santa Fe

Fall of Granada

On January 2, 1492, Boabdil  handed in the keys of the city

Treaty of Granada

Capitulation of Granada, meant to:

• surrender city

• religious tolerance

• muslim right to remain

1501

all Muslims in Granada were given the choice to convert, become slaves, or leave; this policy was extended to the rest of Spain by 1526

Maimonides (Mūsā ibn Maymūn)

Born in Córdoba in 1138, Maimonides was a towering intellectual figure of Jewish heritage who contributed profoundly to philosophy, medicine, law, and theology

Ulema

intellectual people, scholars

Ibn Tufail

visionary storyteller, from Guadix, important for philosophical fiction and philosophy.

Ibn Arabi

Most influential Sufi Mystic