Islam expanded rapidly in the 7th-9th centuries, reaching North Africa, the Iberian Peninsula, and beyond. In 711, an Arab army defeated the Visigoths in the Battle of Guadalete and established Islamic rule in the Iberian Peninsula, known as Al-Andalus. Al-Andalus was initially a dependent emirate within the Umayyad Caliphate but became independent in 756. The high point was the Caliphate of Córdoba from 929-1031, but then Al-Andalus fragmented into taifa kingdoms and the last remnants were the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada until its fall in 1492. Architecture in

1. Unit 2. Al-Andalus
IES Azuer 2020/2021

2. 1. How did Islam expand?

3. A. The expansion of Islam (622-846)
7th century: Faced Byzantine-> Syria, Egypt, Persian Empire
8th century: Reach India. North Africa, Iberian Peninsula.
732, Poitiers.
9th century: South Egypt and Italy.

4. B. The organisation of the caliphate
 First four caliphas: 632-661. Muhammad’s family members. Divided
muslims:
 Shia
 Sunnis
 Umayyad: 661-750. Syria, Damascus capital.
 Abbasid: 750-1258. Baghdad. Some provinces separated (Al Andalus)
 Turks: 1453, conquerer Constantinopla

5. C. Cultural and economic splendour
Arabic, official language
New cities (Cairo, Córdoba…)
Cultural centres, libraries…

7. 2. The establishment of Al Andalus

8. A. The weakness of the visigothic
monarchy
 8th century, crisis.
 Clashes between the nobility
 A war between Achila and Roderic. Supporters of Achila ask the muslims for help

9. B. The military conquest
 711, army of Arabs defeated Visigoths in Guadalete
 25000 men, ocuppied Toledo. Advanced to the north.
 718, controlled most of the Peninsule.

10. C. The integration of Al Andalus into the
Islamic Empire.
 Pacts of submission of the nobles.
 Islam oficial religion, but accepted local costumes. Muladi
 Mozarabs, people that remained christians. A lot emigrated to
the north.

11. How was Al Andalus linked to the Islamic
Empire?
 The dependent Emirate (718-756)
 Dependent of the Umayyad of Damascus. Capital in Córdoba. Ruled by an emir.
 The independent Emirate (756-929)
 8th century, Abbasids of Baghdad. Prince Abd al Rahman fled to Al Andalus.
Umayyad Emirate.

13. 3. The evolution of Al Andalus

14. A. The caliphate of Córdoba (929-1031)
 10th century, internal problems.
 Emir Abd al Rahman III wanted to impuse authority. Caliphate

15. B. The taifa kingdoms (1031-1248)
 1008, Caliphate began to break up. 1031, divided into 25 independent kingdoms.
 Almoravids and Almohads temporarily stopped Christian advanced

17. C. The Nasrid Kingdom of Granada (1248-
1492)
 Last muslim kingdom in the Iberian Peninsule
 Prosperous economy allowed the sultan to pay taxes to Castille.
 1492, conquered by Castille.

19. The Golden Age of the Caliphate of
Córdoba
 Abd al-Rahman III, Al-Hakam II and Hisham II
 Dominate Christian kingdoms
 Economic prosperity
 Wealth by taxes -> bureaucracy and army

20. Administration of the state
 21 provinces or coras
 Caliph absolute power.
 Hachib, prime minister. Viziers, ministers. Diwan, government.
 Governors of provinces, valis. Generals in border areas.
 Cadis, justice.
 Almotacén, markets.

21. ECONOMY.
CULTIVATING THE LAND
 NEW FORM OF AGRICULTURE:
 New plant species: cereals, vegetables, pulses (legumbres), rice, fruits…cotton, medicinal
plants…..
 Irrigation system.

22. 5. Cities in Al Andalus
 Large cities. Cordoba 300.000 inhabitants.
 Sorrounded by walls.
 Important cultural, economic and politic centres.
 Main points: Medina, mosque, alcazar.

24.  Muslims
 Arabs
 Berbers
 Muladis
 No muslims
 Mozarabs
 Jews

25. 7. Andalusí art
 Linked to religion. Predominance of architecture.
 Mosques. Fortresses, palaces, souks, public baths and schools.
 Little development in painting and sculpture.
 Decorative arts.

27. A. The predominance of architecture
 Simple materials: brick, Wood.
 Richly decorated vaults and domes.
 Pillars and colums.
 Austere decoration
 Gardens

28. B. Architecture in Al-Andalus
 Islamic models.
 Horseshoe arch
 Rich ornamentation

29. 1. Emirate and Caliphate Period (756-1031)
 Richly ornamental buildings.
 Great Mosque of Córdoba and Medina al-Zahara.

31. 2. Taifa and Almohad period (1031-1212)
 Austere style.
 Alcazaba Málaga, Aljafería Zaragoza, Giralda and Torre del
Oro Seville.

32. Giralda

33. 3. Nasrid period (1238-1492)
 Richly decorated interiors.
 Alhambra and Generalife

35. 7. Arte Andalusí
 Mezquita de Córdoba
 Identificación: Obra, autor, periodo.
 Análisis:
 Función
 Materiales
 Elementos sustentantes
 Elementos sustentados
 Decoración
 Planta
 Innovaciones
 Conclusiones

36. Keywords
 Mosque: Muslim building for worship
 Souk: an Arab market or marketplace
 Medina: the center part of an andalusí town.
 Madrasa: a school for Islamic instruction.
 Caliphe: the chief Muslim civil and religious ruler, regarded as
the successor of Muhammad
 Alcázar: a Spanish palace or fortress of Arab origin.

37.  Medina
 Madrasa
 Souk: an Arab market or marketplace
 Mosque: Muslim building for worship
 Caliph
 Alcázar

38. ISLAM
 Orígenes del Islam
 Busca información sobre Mahoma y explica qué es un profeta
 Explica los 5 preceptos básicos del Islam
 Investiga sobre la trascendencia científica y cultural del Islam
 Habla sobre una obra de arte islámico
 Escribe un relato de una página sobre la vida de una persona en Al Andalus
 15 páginas: Portada, índice, introducción, conclusiones, bibliografía
 Trabajo en parejas. Se valorara el trabajo en clase.

39. Vocabulary
 Impoverishment-Empobrecimiento
 Vault-Bóveda
 Dome-Cúpula
 Tile-Azulejo
 Plaster-Yeso

40.  1. Diference between Shia and Sunnis
 2. Muslim dinasty in the Caliphate 750-1248
 3. Official language of the Islamic Empire
 4. Two sides fighting for power in Visigothic Kingdom
 5. Battle in 711
 6. Diferences between Muladi and Mozarabs
 7. Periods of Al Andalus
 8. First caliph of Al Andalus
 9. Who were almohads and almoravids
 10. Last ruler of Granada
 11. Who was the Hachib
 12. Different social groups
 13. Largest city in Al Andalus
 14. Simple materials
 15. Importance of gardens
 16. Periods of architecture in Al Andalus

41.  1. Diference between Shia and Sunnis:
 Shia: Caliph should be a descendent of Muhammad
 Sunnis: Caliph should be the most devotous believer
 2. Muslim dinasty in the Caliphate 750-1248
 Abbasid
 3. Official language of the Islamic Empire
 Arabic
 4. Two sides fighting for power in Visigothic Kingdom
 Achilla/Roderic – Hereditary monarchy/elective monarchy
 5. Battle in 711: Guadalete
 6. Diferences between Muladi and Mozarabs
Muladi: christians converted into Islam. Mozarabs: remained being christians

42.  7. Periods of Al Andalus
 Dependent Emirate. 718-756
 Independent Emirate. 756-929
 Caliphate Córdoba. 929-1031
 Taifa Kingdoms. 1031-1248
 Nasrid Kingdom Granada 1248-1492
 8. First caliph of Al Andalus: Abd al Rahman III
 9. Who were almohads and almoravids
Muslims armies/peoples arrived from North Africa (11th-12th
century)
 10. Last ruler of Granada: Boabdil

43. 16. Periods of architecture in Al Andalus
Emirate and Caliphate Period. 756-1031
Taifa and Almohad period. 1031-1212
Nasrid period. 1238-1492

44.  12. Different social groups
 13. Largest city in Al Andalus
 14. Simple materials
 15. Importance of gardens
 16. Periods of architecture in Al Andalus