Week Sixteen: Medieval Spain Umayyad Dynasty

Who ruled Spain at the collapse of the Roman Empire?

The Visigoths ruled most of Spain and parts of modern-day France after the fall of the Roman Empire.

Why did the Visigoths lose territory in France?

They lost much of their French territory early in the medieval period as the Franks rose to power.

How long did Visigoth rule in Spain last?

The Visigoths ruled Spain with little interference until 711.

What religion did the Visigoths originally practice?

They practiced Arian Christianity, a belief common among Germanic tribes.

When did the Visigoths convert to Catholicism and why was it important?

They converted in 589 under King Reccared I, which greatly increased the political power of the Catholic Church.

What event ended Visigoth rule in Spain?

In 711, Tariq ibn Ziyad led a Berber Muslim army that conquered Spain and destroyed the Visigoth kingdom.

What was Al-Andalus?

Al-Andalus was the name for Muslim-ruled Spain under the Umayyad dynasty.

What was the Reconquista?

The Reconquista was the long effort by northern Christian kingdoms to reclaim Spain from Muslim control.

Why was medieval Spain politically unstable?

Multiple kingdoms, rulers, and religions competed for power throughout the medieval period.

How did Visigoth culture relate to Roman traditions?

Visigoth rule continued many Roman and classical traditions, including developments in science and philosophy.

What happened to Visigoths after the Muslim conquest?

Some fled north to Christian kingdoms, while others stayed under Muslim rule or converted to Islam.

What was the Umayyad Caliphate?

An Islamic empire lasting from 661 to 750 that stretched from Spain to Central Asia.

Who founded the Umayyad Caliphate?

Muʿāwiyah ibn Abī Sufyān became caliph in 661 and established Umayyad rule.

What city served as the Umayyad capital?

Damascus, Syria, was the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate.

What were the Sufyānid and Marwānid phases?

They were two ruling branches of the Umayyad family, with the Marwānids expanding administration and military power.

What major reforms occurred under Abd al-Malik and al-Walīd I?

Arabic became the official language, Islamic coins were minted, and new architectural styles developed.

What ended the Umayyad Caliphate?

The Abbasid Revolution defeated the Umayyads in 750.

Who were the Almoravids?

A Berber dynasty that ruled parts of North Africa and southern Spain and Portugal from the mid-1000s to 1147.

How did the Almoravid dynasty begin?

It began as a religious reform movement among the Sanhaja Berbers led by Abd Allah ibn Yasin.

Who were the Berbers and what role did they play in Spain?

Berbers are indigenous North African peoples who helped conquer Spain and later ruled parts of it through dynasties like the Almoravids and Almohads.

Berbers

Indigenous peoples of North Africa who played a major role in the Muslim conquest of Spain and helped establish Islamic rule in the region.

Caliph

The political and religious leader of the Islamic community, believed to be the successor to the Prophet Muhammad.

Arians

Early Christians who believed Jesus was not equal to God the Father, a belief held by many Germanic tribes, including the Visigoths.

Expedition

A planned journey or military mission undertaken for a specific purpose, often exploration or conquest.

Blasphemy

The act of showing disrespect or speaking irreverently about God, sacred beliefs, or religious figures.

Martyrs

Individuals who are killed because of their religious beliefs and are honored for remaining faithful despite persecution.

Caliphate

An Islamic state or empire ruled by a caliph, combining political authority with religious leadership.

Emir

A Muslim ruler or military commander who governs a province or territory under a caliph or independently.

Fortified

Strengthened with defensive structures such as walls or towers to protect against attack.

Mozarabs

Christians living under Muslim rule in Al-Andalus who adopted aspects of Islamic culture while maintaining their Christian faith.