Tag Archives: Abd al-Rahman

Emirs of Cordoba, 756-822

“Emir” or “Amir” means prince in Arabic. It acted as a general title for a ruler who wasn’t claiming to be the successor (Caliph) to Muhammad. Abd al-Rahman was probably too busy actually winning a kingdom for himself to think … Continue reading

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The King in the North, 751-71

While Abd al-Rahman was a fugitive in North Africa, power shifted decisively in Europe. The last major Germanic barbarian invasion came from the east and had settled in the Italian Alps with a capital at Pavia. The Langobards, or Lombards, … Continue reading

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The New Emir of Al-Andalus, 755-79

Prince Abd al-Rahman had traveled into North Africa by 755, with his servant Bedr. The governor of Ifriqiyah then was a great-grandson of Uqba, the original rapid conqueror during the earliest Umayyad years. His given name was the same as … Continue reading

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Massacre and Escape at Resafa, 750

In societies that lack procedure for peaceful power transfer—which was nearly everyone in the 8th century—it’s important to move fast to cement your new power. It’s even better for the people, who probably have little contact with the rulers. If … Continue reading

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The Half-Berber Prince

We now go back to the overthrow of the Umayyad dynasty in Damascus, to pick up the first thread of the Andalusian Golden Age. There were three main factions united behind the descendants of Abbas, Mohammed’s uncle: Shi’ites who wanted … Continue reading

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