Tag Archives: Andalusia

Second Crusade: Towns and Merchants, 1147

Posted on February 17, 2023 by Ruth

The fall of the County of Edessa to Zengi prompted Pope Eugenius to begin a new call for a Crusade. Although he and Bernard of Clairvaux intended their persuasion to influence kings and counts, many other people heard these arguments … 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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Vikings, Caliphs and the Slave Trade

Posted on March 9, 2022 by Ruth

Conditions during the 8th century prompted a growing shift in the Northern lands from farming and fishing, to raiding. We start to see “Viking” raids in the Irish, English and even Spanish records at the end of the 8th century. … Continue reading →

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Greening Up Arid Spain with Arab Water Tech

Posted on December 23, 2021 by Ruth

Spain and Portugal share a peninsula that is mostly a high, arid plateau. Portugal’s western coast receives most of the rain. The capital cities of Muslim Andalusia were clustered on the arid plateau; Cordoba gets about 7 inches of rain … 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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The New Emir of Al-Andalus, 755-79

Posted on December 2, 2021 by Ruth

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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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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Pottery in Spain

Posted on January 28, 2014 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 … Continue reading →

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