Tag Archives: Cordoba

The Fall of Cordoba, 1012

Posted on July 4, 2022 by Ruth

In 976, around the same time that Fatimids were building Cairo, the last powerful descendant of Abd al-Rahman died in Cordoba. He left a 12 year old son, Hisham II, with Hisham’s mother as regent. As so often happened, a … Continue reading →

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Andalusian Pottery

Posted on May 24, 2022 by Ruth

If you traveled in 10th or 11th century Spain, you’d see a sharp contrast in its regional pottery. During this high-water point in Muslim Andalusia’s power, the map had stabilized into a large southern Muslim nation and a strip of small kingdoms … Continue reading →

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The Western Caliph, 890-961

Posted on May 24, 2022 by Ruth

The dynasty of Abd al-Rahman, the Umayyad prince who successfully dodged Abbasid assassins until he took control of Spain, was still going on. He and his immediate heirs called themselves Emirs, rather than Caliphs. But by 912, when great-great-great-grandson Abd … Continue reading →

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Emirs of Cordoba, 756-822

Posted on December 22, 2021 by Ruth

“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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Europe’s First Great Mosque, Cordoba 786

Posted on December 16, 2021 by Ruth

Abd Al-Rahman, the half-Berber Umayyad prince, was firmly in control of the Iberian peninsula by the time Charlemagne became King of the Franks. He ruled until his death at age 58, which was long past the average life-expectancy of the … Continue reading →

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Cordoba, the new Umayyad Capital

Posted on December 16, 2021 by Ruth

Cordoba probably became the capital of Muslim administration because during the conquest years, around 711-715, it did not surrender. It was conquered militarily. When cities surrendered, their current officials could work out a deal to send tribute; when they didn’t, … Continue reading →

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Ideology takes over the Caliphate

Posted on February 22, 2014 by Ruth

I’ve taken a week off writing about medieval Islam, so I want to review before going on. After about 950, the nature of the Muslim world began to change profoundly. Each region had its own type of change. In Persia, … Continue reading →

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End of Cordoban power

Posted on February 15, 2014 by Ruth

In 976, around the same time that Fatimids were building Cairo, the last powerful descendant of Abd al-Rahman died in Cordoba. He left a 12 year old son, Hisham II, with Hisham’s mother as regent. As so often happened, this … Continue reading →

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Quicksilver diplomacy

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Ruth

In the years of Ziryab’s influence, the Emirs of Andalusia established so much independence from Baghdad that at last, Abd al-Rahman III called himself a Caliph, not an Emir. Emir means something like Prince; it implies high but subordinate rank. … Continue reading →

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The glass of fashion

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Ruth

The court at Baghdad was doubtless much more urbane than upstart Cordoba’s. Baghdad was based in ancient Persian culture: its customs, food, musical instruments, poetry, and textiles. Even Abd al-Rahman, coming from Damascus, wasn’t as steeped in Persian luxuries as … Continue reading →

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