From Passive Economics to Prosperity
The Romans introduced aqueducts and advanced irrigation to explode agricultural production in Spain. In addition, increased exportations out.
|
Visigoth economic rule was primarily unindustrialized and underdeveloped with reliance on husbandry and individual agriculture.
|
Islamic influence in Spain led to increased economic activity overseas and within mass agriculture.
|
Agriculture as the keystone
al-Andalus specialized in agriculture and made it into a science where it was simply a matter of manual labor for the rest of the Mediterranean. This included in depth analysis and application of irrigation systems, qualities of edible plants and vegetables, the uses of fertilizers, the relationship of animals to the land, cures for animal diseases, and cultivation of beautiful gardens. The land became more productive overall, increasing the well-being and health of the Andalusis. Economic prosperity was made possible by the increase in complex agriculture and systems to sustainably feed large populations in a healthy way. In terms of personal well being, prosperity and health gave way for more leisure time which led to developments such as chess and more time for study such as algebra.
The land is rich, abounding in rivers, springs, aqueducts; a land of corn, oil and wine, of fruits and all manner of delicacies; it has pleasure gardens and orchards, fruitful trees of every kind, including the leaves of the trees upon which the silkworm feeds,
- Jane S. Gerber
Irrigation transforming the land
The biggest take away the Moors had from Roman rule economically was on the irrigation system. The Romans introduced irrigation, but it was the Moors that bloomed gardens and converted arid areas into green oases. The usage of water wheels and the water mill overcame the barrier of relying solely on gravity. They built irrigation systems in both steep areas such as Malaga and flat areas of the Balearic Islands. In addition, fields were strategically placed irrigated fields at right angles to streams to mitigate damage in the event of a flood.
Coinage in Al-andalus
The Islamic rule in Spain introduced a gold coin called Dinar and a silver coin called a Dirham. The way they utilized the Mediterranean sea opened up a global market that was once simply Roman territory. The Muslim exchange of gold was important because of the value it held to other nations, maximizing value for both sides in trades between nations. The exportation of silk, mercury, and other minerals out of Spain made Al-Andalus a center point in the economy of the Islamic world. The gold dinar was the first gold coin to come from the Muslims. At first they simply used Arabic monetization mediums until the minting of the Dinar with inspiration from the Karan found on the coin in the form of long passages or excerpts.
|