How Moslem Disunity created a New CaliphateMoslem Disunity ruled in the al-Andalus province of the Islamic (Abbasidian) CaliphateThe first forty years of the Moslem conquest of the Iberian Peninsula were fraught with internal rebellions.OverviewThe Independent Emirate of al-AndalusThe Symbol of the Andalucian Flag Abd ar-Rahman's Side Had no Banner Abd ar-Rahman's Rule was Tenuous Emirs and Caliphs of the Umayyad Dynasty The First 300 Years under Moorish Spain's Rule Thus Prodigious Developments Evolved Further al-Andalus related pages The twenty Emirs or Viceroys, appointed by the Baghdad Abbasidian Caliph, were excessively brutal during their rulings. Local Moslem leaders refused to accept 'no matter whom,' as their superior and a growing alienation evolved. Intrigue, pillage and blood baths ravaged throughout the Abbasidian al-Andalus Caliphate. Eighty high-ranking Arabs determined that in order to survive, they must break away and declare 'Independence' from the Abbasidian Caliph and choose their 'own' leader. The Independent Emirate of al-AndalusAbd ar-Rahman I the sole survivor of the Ummayad dynasty was invited to become their emir.The Symbol of the Andalucian FlagOriginated from when Abd ar-Rahman I faced Al-Fihri the ruling Vizier (the enemy Abassidian commander) and al-Sumayl the commander's son-in-law for the fight of who was to rule the al-Andalus province.Abd ar-Rahman I approached Historic Cordoba (March 756 AD) accompanied by local chieftains and Syrians, (loyal since his arrival in Almuñecar, Málaga, Sept 755 AD). On the plains of Musarah outside Cordova the two armies prepared for battle. Hints of Yemeni dissension rippled throughout Abd ar-Rahman's ranks had to be stamped out. The Umayyad prince was riding an excellent Moorish steed; the soldiers had mules. They were fighting ill-equipped and hungry, there was much at stake and they HAD to win. Fearing an internal rebellion Abd ar-Rahman I unexpectedly swapped his horse for (Relámpago/ Lightening) a mule belonging to their Yemeni leader. Abd ar-Rahman's Side Had no BannerImprovising, a green turban was unwound and wrapped round a spear. These became a symbol of the al-Andalus Cordova Caliphate's flag. The green remains: identifying green with hope and the white with peace. (This was the first flag-symbol to be used in connection with the Iberian Peninsula.)al-Andalus was populated by people with many different allegiances. However, after Abd ar-Rahman’s proclamation as Emir, it became a safe haven for friends and families of the Umayyads. Abd ar Rahman 1's flight from Damascus had been grim, lengthy and perilous. Most of his family were mercilessly murdered by the Abbasidians. His flight began in 749. He was sixteen at that time. Spies prowled their escape route: they followed the course of the Euphrates river, through Palestine, Sinai and Egypt. His brother was killed before his eyes. Abd ar-Rahman's red hair, a distinctive mole on his forehead and a one sighted-eye were sought traits, easily differentiating him. At the end of his desperate flight, he was welcomed to the al-Andalus province. He refused all manner of distractions, totally set upon keeping the Iberian Peninsula in his power. His determination and strength founded the Umayyan dynasty that would rule al-Andalus for over three hundred centuries. The bloodbath history of his family created a brave, audacious and sagacious man. His fearless spirit caused him to proclaim: "We conquer or we die!" He infused his troops with a death-defying morale and derived renewed loyalty. A bloody battle ensued; the Abbasid army was defeated (763 AD). The Abbasid caliph, Al-Masur changed his attitude, and from that moment in history, Al-Masur and everyone else referred to Abd ar-Rahman, as the "The Hawk of the Quraysh." Abd ar-Rahman's Rule was TenuousArabs and Berbers even some family members, fought for part of his power. Disloyalty was harshly remedied.He declared "Moorish Spain" to be the Independent Emirate of al-Andalus in 756 AD. Seven years later, he vanquished an Abbasid army seeking to overthrow him. The Islamic rupture signified al-Andalus Moors would not receive anymilitary support from Baghdad. Equally, the Independent Emirate, from then on, was isolated for aid from the entire Islamic world. It often suffered attacks from within Arab ranks. Emirate rulers had used the title of Emir or Sultan (an independent Muslim ruler or sovereign) until Abd ar-Rahman III was faced the Fatimid invasion. The Fatimids solely recognized the Abbasidian Caliph of Bahgdad. In an endeavour to gain greater sovereignty Abd al-Rahman III, claimed the higher title of Caliph (Mohammad’s rightful successor) rivalling the sway of the Baghdad Caliph and the Shiite Caliphs in North Africa, authenticating to the rest of the Iberian Peninsula, his supremacy . His new influence boosted the morale of his subjects. The Fatimids were successfully repulsed. Emirs and Caliphs of the Umayyad DynastyUmayyad Emirs of Cordova
Umayyad Caliphs of Cordova
Exterior of The Great Mosque of Cordoba, Andalucia Spain. The First 300 Years under Moorish Spain's RuleThe Caliphate of Cordova, was marked, as becoming a major intellectual society. Cordoba was the largest city in all of Europe.Art and ArchitectureSyrian-expertise of Islamic Art and Architecture was introduced to the al-Andalus when the Mezquita monument was built. Hispano Moorish Art and Architecture evolved from the al-Andalus period and were at their height when the Caliphal city Madinat-az-Zahra was built.Cordova surpassed Baghdad and Byzantium in material splendour, Caliphal Architecture, advanced Moorish Agriculture Techniques, irrigation advances, trading superiority, manufacture of paper, art patronage, coin mintage, wealth of libraries and diverse universities and its chivalry-based society. Cordoba became the most Splendid City in all of EuropeScholars throughout Europe traveled to Cordova to study the abundance of knowledge amassed in the Cordovan Caliphate.The Caliphs encouraged all manner of academic work. The translation and application of the undiscovered ancient Greek masterpieces led to a vibrant attitude in life thinking in philosophy. Islamic students and scientists added hugely to the well of knowledge with their own theories, observations and experiments especially in: Moorish Medicine, Moorish Medicine Education and Moorish Medicine Health Care.
Astrolabe in Torre de la Calahorra Museum in Cordoba Thus Prodigious Developments EvolvedAstrology, astronomy, optics, pharmacology, psychology, physiology, surgery, Animal-husbandry, Zoology, anatomy, biology, botany, mineralogy, metallurgy, sociology, hydrostatics, philosophy, literature, poetry, music, navigation, history, architecture, geography, mechanics, meteorology, physics, mathematics, (algebra, geometry and trigonometry) the use of decimals and Hindu numerals were incorporated at this period.Deeply submerged in the Dark Ages, Medieval Europe contrasted starkly to the enlightened and sparkling epoch of Moorish SpainAverroes's interpretation and lucid commentaries of Aristotle was an invaluable legacy which astounded both the Jews and Medieval Christians. Averroes's work influenced the Western world for over four centuries. The metamorphosis from the Medieval Ages to the Middle Ages was sparked by 'awakened thought'. He advocated applying equal status to both religion and philosophy. A logical, scientific contemplation was necessary to solve and discover the natural history of the universe. The excelling investigation and practice of agriculture and botany caused widespread prosperity. Further al-Andalus related pagesGo to Caliphal Cordoba Top of Moslem Disunity and the al-Andalus Caliphate Page |
