The Islamic civilization in Al-Andalus and Sicily

1. The Islamic civilization in
Al-Andalus (Spain) Sicily
Presentation by: M. Berardini, P. Cassio, N. Haddad, A. Mirabitas, A. Schiavano

2. ‫األندلس‬ ‫صقلية‬ ‫إمارة‬
Al-Andalus Emirate of Sicily

3. • 756: Abd-al-Rahman I established himself as the Emir of Cordova; the
Emirate of Cordova was founded
• 929: the Emirate turns into a Caliphate. The title of “Amir al-mu’minin”
is established for the Caliph
• The taifa periods begin: fragmentation of al-Andalus
• 1086-1146: the Almoravids enter al-Andalus and rule
• 1146-1237: the Almohades caliphate with Sevilla as the most important
city
• 1237: Granade falls under the conquest of the Nasrids
• 1269-1492: Sultanate of Granade under the Nasrid dynasty
Political features of Al-Andalus
Abd-al-Rahman I

4. • Three political phases:
- An emirate dependent on the Sunni dynasty of the Aghlabids from Tunisia
(Asad al-Furat, qadi of the Qayrawān)
- The Shiite Fatimides from Egypt
- The Shiite Emirate of the Kalbids from 948
• Afterwards, three independent emirates:
- Emirate of Mazara del Vallo
- Emirate of Siracusa
- Emirate of Enna
Political features of the Emirate
of Sicily

5. Islamic Agricultural Revolution

6. Islamic influence on Europe
• Architectural masterpieces as a paradigm
of the importance of the Islamic
domination
• Contemporary artists also influenced by
Islamic architecture
• Comparison between Granada and
London
Great Mosque of Cordova

7. Scientific and cultural influences
• Innovative watering system
• Production and exportation of new goods in Sicily
• Translation of oriental poetry
Normans Royal Palace of Palermo

8. Quran – Sura 109

9. The «convivencia» in Al-Andalus
“El Libro de los Juegos” (1283) by A. El Sabio shows various games played by people of different genders, ages, classes,
and religions, representing all the different cultures that coexisted in Al-Andalus

10. Tombstone of a Norman-Sicilian noblewoman,
inscribed in Latin, Greek, Hebrew and Arabic
Sicily: a polyglot community
A 1196 miniature depicting various scribes corresponding to
the different populations of Sicily: Greeks, Saracens, Latins