The Development of Islamic Culture in Spain

The Emergence of Islam

711

Muslim Spain was not a single period, but a succession of different rules.
The Dependent Emirate (711-756)
The Independent Emirate (756-929)
The Caliphate (929-1031)
The Almoravid Era (1031-1130)
Decline (1130-1492)

The Dependent Emirate (711-756)

711

Arabs cross the Straight of Gibraltar and establish control over much of the Iberian Peninsula. They called this area "Al-Andalus"

Muslims Conquer

720

Muslims conquered most of Spain and Portugal. By 720 Spain was largely under Muslim control. The heartland of Muslim rule was Southern Spain or Andulusia.

The Independent Emirate (756-929)

756

Amir Abd al-Rahman was the man who founded the Emirate of Cordoba. He was credited for gathering Muslims to rule the conquered land. He united the separate Muslim kingdoms, creating stability and a climate of religious and ethnic tolerance of Jews and Christians.

Mosque of Cordoba breaks ground

785

The building of the Great Mosque of Cordoba begins.

Death of Abd ar-Rahaman

788

Hisham I succeeds Abd ar-Rahman after his death.

The Caliphate (929-1031)

929

The Caliphate also known as The "Golden Age" of al-Andalus, this period marked leading agricultural, scientific, and philosophical advancements in Muslim culture

Al-Mansur takes command

976

Al-Mansur becomes 3rd Caliph. His leadership was more military dictator style. His leadership creates problems against Christians. These attacks against them cause Christians to raid into Muslim territory.

Manṣūr reign continues

981

Manṣūr gave African territories local independence under Umayyad suzerainty, keeping the caliphate’s influence. He introduced military reforms that created a more proficient army and began the recruitment of a new cadre of skilled Berber troops

Manṣūr’s family reign ends

1002

Manṣūr’s eldest son, ʿAbd al-Malik al-Muẓaffar, reigned after his father's death in 1002, until his death in 1008. His younger brother, ʿAbd al-Raḥmān Sanchuelo lost control of the Berber generals and angered the Arab aristocracy by having himself proclaimed successor to the caliph.

Revolution of Cordoba

1009

The revolution in Cordóba led to the fall of Hishām II and murder of Sanchuelo. No Umayyad could control the Berbers. Berbers would demand land in Al-Andalus. The revolution brought about 20 years of unrest through out the land

The fall of the Caliphate

1031

Caliphate falls and The Golden Age reign is over

The Almoravid Era (1031-1130)

1031

Almoravid was not tolerant of Jews or Christians and made many stipulations to their acceptance in Muslim land.

Toledo Falls

1085

The first big Islamic centre to fall to Christianity was Toledo in 1085.

Battle won

1086

Yusuf ibn Tashfin defeat the Christians at the Battle of az-Zallaqah

Chrisainty fights back

1102

By 1102 Christianity had fought back and had regained almost all of the peninsula.

The Decline of Islamic Spain (1130-1492)

1130

Separation among Muslims gave Christians a chance to rebel against Muslims and win back their land.

The end of Islamic Spain rule

1492

Muslims finally lost all power in Spain to Christians in 1492.