Al-andalusOne of the largest cultural centers in all of human history took place in what is modern day Spain and Portugal. During the Islamic rule, this general area was known as Al-Andalus
Each of us have taken to diving in depth into a particular aspect of this Western Islamic rule. Specifically, we delved into the politics and societal conventions, architecture, art, economics, and philosophy.
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politics and society
The Iberian Peninsula (present day Spain and Portugal) was conquered from the Visigoths and incorporated into the Umayyad Caliphate in 711. Under Muslim rule, this region was known as al-Andalus. In 750, it was declared an independent Emirate, ruled by an Emir. In 929, it was declared a Caliphate, ruled by a Caliph. In 1031, the Caliphate collapsed into multiple smaller states.
After the Muslim invasion of the Iberian Peninsula, a small Christian Kingdom was established in the Cantabrian mountains by Visigoths fleeing al-Andalus. This kingdom eventually grew into the Kingdoms of Leon and Castille. Following the collapse of the Caliphate in 1031, significant parts of al-Andalus began to be reconquered by the Christian Kingdoms. Between 1146 and 1173, the Almohad Caliphate (a Muslim Empire in North Africa) conquered the small independent Muslim states of the Iberian Peninsula, in order to defend them from the Christian Kingdoms. Ultimately however, the expansion of the Christian Kingdoms could not be stopped, and by 1492 the entire Iberian Peninsula was back under Christian control. The Politics and Society Page by Henry Burston expands on the history of al-Andalus and goes into further detail on the nature of the society there. |
Architecture
One of the most recognizable parts of the Islamic rule of Al-Andalus that is present today is without the architecture. The Moors, who were responsible for building a large majority of the structures featured on this website, had foundational inspiration for the architecture from the Roman and Visigothic styles of buildings. The Moors were then able to take some of the theme of these structures, and make intricate and particular designs that became uniquely Moorish. This website will highlight some of the most integral features of the Moorish style and buildings, as well as some enlightenment on where some of the features came from and their meanings. Architecture section by Quintin Danzi
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Art
The art of al-Andalus displayed on the sight goes hand in hand with the architecture page. The six periods of Islamic rule in the area were all very different, but similarly used architecture and craftmanship as one of their main art expressions. The art page highlights the impact that culture change has on popular style by prefacing the art and architecture with summaries of their creation period. Being able to connect with the motivation causing style change brings the viewer right back to the mind of the artist. Art section created by Luigi Chirco
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Economics
The Economic activity in Al-Andalus is best described as blusterous given the stark contrast of the previous activity during Visigoth rule to the explosion of agriculture, exports, and facilitation of a global market brought in by the Muslim presence in Spain. The Islamic rule included an expansion on the Roman irrigation systems to create the ability to provide food for mass amounts of people, making way for more citizens to enjoy leisure and explore different specialties such as math and architecture. The Muslims relied on the gold Dinar and silver Dirham as currency which aided in barter and trade throughout Islamic world as others placed high value on the gold and silver exchanged. Overall the agricultural and exportation advances paved the way to not only a wealthier Spain, but a more robust global economy. Economic section by Braxton Martorano.
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Philosophy
The Golden Age of Al-Andalus philosophy occurred after the reign of al-Manzor (d. 1002 AD), who considered all sciences and forms of the liberal arts haram, often burning books in public. After his death, philosophy was allowed to flourish alongside other developments in astronomy, astrology and geometry. Many philosophers in Al-Andalus were “Renaissance Men” of their era, working as logicians, poets and philosophers all at once – this was the case of the Jewish philosopher Maimonides (a physician and astrologist) and the famous geometer Abu al-Hakam al-Kirmani. Overall, Al-Andalus philosopher had an aspect of continuation from earlier Islamic thought and was not radically different in its approach. At the same time, it followed the tradition of emerging the classical Platonic and Aristotelian texts with the theology of the Quran. Philosophy section by Andrew Steele.