Lecture 4 - The rise of al-andalus Flashcards
what were all the great things that al-andalus resulted in
most prosperous society : re-opened Mediterranean trade routes revival of agriculture economic activities most developed urban centers Córdoba Philosophy, Theology, and Poetry Astronomy and medicine Major buildings Jewish, Christian, and Muslim culture flourished
when did Al-Andalus became the most prosperous society of Western Europe
between the 8th and the 13th Century AD
explain revival of agriculture
led to a substantial revival of agriculture – Arab irrigation techniques were extremely sophisticated
what were some of the economic activities
Other important economic activities included metal works, mining, textiles, paper, and jewelry
Cities in Al-Andalus were the most developed urban centers in Western Europe- Many where equipped with what
public lighting, sewers, libraries, and public baths
what was important about The city of Córdoba
became the biggest city in Al-Andalus and in Western Europe with around 450,000 inhabitants
why was Philosophy, Theology, and Poetry flourishing under al-andalus
experienced a renaissance – Greek Classical texts became available in Arab and Latin translation – Aristotle becomes reintroduced to the Western world through Al-Andalus
what sciences that were developed the most under al-andalus
Astronomy and medicine
what were some Major buildings under al-andalus
Cordoba’s Mosque
did Jewish, Christian, and Muslim culture flourished under al-andalus
Jewish, Christian, and Muslim culture flourished in Al-Andalus, although it was not the idealized coexistence presented by later historians
who lived in Al-Andalusian Society:
Multicultural Society: Arabs/Non Arabs, Jews, Christians, Converts…
what was the Hierarchical Society of Al-Andalusian
Emir/Caliph and the Arab conquerors at the top – The Majority of the population were “Muladi” – Jews and Mozarabs were subjected to taxation/lower social status – Slaves formed the basis of the pyramid [Reopening of Mediterranean and sub-Saharan slave markets]
explain the divided elite of al-andalusian society
Muslims of Arab origin had normally a higher status than those from Berber (North African) origin at least until the invasion of the Almoravaids and the Almohads (more on this later) – Divisions in the elite played a role in the downfall of Al-Andalus
In Islamic Spain, Jews and Christians were tolerated, but only if
:
they acknowledged Islamic superiority
accepted Islamic rule
paid a tax called Jizya to the Muslim rulers and sometimes paid higher rates of other taxes
avoided blasphemy,
did not try to convert Muslims
complied with the rules laid down by the authorities.
what were the rules laid down by the authorities
restrictions on clothing
restrictions on building synagogues and churches
not allowed to carry weapons
They could not receive an inheritance from a Muslim/ bequeath to a Muslim
They could not own Muslim slaves
They could not give evidence in an Islamic court
They would get lower compensation than Muslims for the same injury
They could not marry a Muslim woman (but the reverse was acceptable)
explain how tolerance decreased of the muslims to the christians
Around 50% of the local population were Muslims in the 10th century
By the end of the 12 century the figure was closer to 90%
The Almoravids and Almohads introduced a much more restrictive interpretation of Islam
Al-Andalusi Christians and Jews who refused to convert under Almoravid/Almohad rule fled to Christian dominated lands
who introduced a much more restrictive interpretation of Islam
The Almoravids and Almohads
what were the Al-Andalus Biggest Cities
Córdoba (Capital of the Caliphate)
Medina Azahara (Madīnat az-Zahrā: literal meaning “the shining city”) – City Palace built by Abd-ar-Rahman III (first Caliph of Spain)
Málaga (founded by the Phoenicians, it was known as Mālaqah)
Seville (Known as Hispalis by the Romans and as Arabic as Ishbiliyya by the Arabs
Granada (capital of the last Arab kingdom – View of the Alhambra palace - converted into a royal palace in 1333 by Yusuf I, Sultan of Granada – Example of late Arab culture in Spain
give A brief timeline of the Arab expansion
571-632: Prophet Muhammad
632-661: Rashidun Caliphate
661-750: the Umayyad Caliphate
explain 571-632: Prophet Muhammad
(571-632) creates a unified polity in the Arabian Peninsula
explain 632-661: Rashidun Caliphate
During the Rashidun Caliphate (the first four successors of Muhammad also known as the “Rightly Guided” caliphs) Arab influence expanded outside the Arabian Peninsula with the conquests of Syria (637), Armenia (639), Egypt (639) and North Africa (652) as well as with the destruction of the Persian Sassanid Empire (642) and the first siege of Constantinople (626)
explain 661-750: the Umayyad Caliphate
Under the Umayyad Caliphate the Arabs conquests continue in North Africa and Central Asia – In 711 starts the invasion of the Iberian Peninsula.
what were Reasons for the rapid expansion of the Arab conquests
state of war between Byzantium and the Persian Sassanid Empire
mercenaries
highly mobile and versatile force , religious ideals
lack of an appropriate defense from Byzantium and the collapse of the Western Roman empire
force and negotiation
Arabs did not seek the forced conversion of non-Muslim populations
explain state of war between Byzantium and the Persian Sassanid Empire
The permanent state of war between Byzantium and the Persian Sassanid Empire significantly weakened both of them
explain mercenaries
Arab troops had already been used by both Byzantium and the Persian empire as mercenaries
explain highly mobile and versatile force , religious ideals
Arab armies were a highly mobile and versatile force that were linked by religious ideals but also by a sense of belonging to the different Arab tribes
