UNIT 4: THE IBERIAN PENINSULA BETWEEN THE 8TH AND 12 THE CENTURIES

1.- The history and political evolution of Al-Andalus

Emirate of Córdoba (711-929)

The Muslims encountered very little resistance. The Iberian Peninsula was called Al-Andalus by the
Muslims. Its capital was Córdoba. The emirate of Córdoba was a political and religious dependent of
the Umayyad Caliphate of Damascus.

In 756, Abd al-Rahman I, escaped from his enemies, the Abbasids, and he took refuge in Al-Andalus. He
proclaimed himself emir in Córdoba. Al- Andalus then became the first independent emirate in the
Islamic Empire.

The Caliphate of Córdoba (929-1035)

Abb al-Rahman III declared Al-Andalus a caliphate in 929. The Caliphs of Córdoba were absolute rulers
who held both political and religious authority. They based their power on ministers (viziers), provincial
gobernors (walis) and judges (cadis).

There was a period of great cultural and economic achievement under the caliphate. Howeber, by the
late 10th cemtury, tensions between ethnic groups caused frequent civilian fights.

In 976, the Grand Vizier Al-Mansur held the real power. Under, Al-Mansur, the caliphate achieved
heights of glory: it carried out raids all the way up to Santiago de Compostela and Barcelona. But, after
his death, there was a period of conflict which culminated in the break-up of the Caliphate.