Historia de España. Al Ándalus

La Península Ibérica en la Edad Media: Al-Ándalus

La Conquista y el Inicio del Islam en la Península

• Desde el siglo VIII, el Islam dominó la península ibérica durante 500 años, con una presencia menor en Granada por 250 años.

• Se abordará la conquista, el esplendor de Al-Ándalus, su crisis en el siglo XI y la organización del poder.

• El éxito del Islam se debió a su adaptabilidad y respeto hacia comunidades judías y cristianas al inicio de su expansión.

Proceso de Conquista

• La llegada de Tarik con 11.000 bereberes en 711 marcó un cambio significativo tras la crisis visigótica.

• Entre 711 y 715, los musulmanes conquistaron rápidamente puntos clave sin ocupar todo el territorio; muchos hispanogodos se convirtieron al Islam por beneficios fiscales.

• Las ciudades se rendían sin resistencia; las autoridades locales eran respetadas a cambio de impuestos.

Organización Inicial de Al-Andalus

• Desde 711 hasta 756, Al-Andalus fue gobernado por un baleí dependiente del califato abasí; Córdoba fue establecida como capital.

• Abdurraman I proclamó un Emirato independiente en 756, rompiendo políticamente con los abásidas pero reconociendo su autoridad.

Época Dorada del Emirato

• Durante el mandato de Abderraman II (822–852), se fundaron nuevas ciudades y se fortaleció la economía mediante comercio e intercambio cultural.

• La muerte de Abderraman II llevó a una crisis económica y política que duró seis décadas debido a tensiones internas entre árabes y mozárabes.

Crisis del Califato

• En 929, Abderramán III se proclamó califa, buscando independencia política; esto dependía de los tributos y control militar sobre caravanas comerciales.

• A pesar de mantener paz temporalmente con los cristianos bajo su hijo Al-Kham II (961–976), Almanzor desató campañas militares que llevaron a una fragmentación territorial tras su muerte en mil dos.

The Dynamics of Al-Andalus and the Rise of the Almoravids

The Christian Kings and the Taifa Kingdoms

• Christian kings exploited the weakness of the Taifas, demanding heavy tributes (parias) in exchange for protection against attacks.

• The Almoravid movement emerged as a religious renewal among Berber tribes in Morocco, using calls from Spanish Muslims to justify their invasion and dismantle the Taifa kingdoms.

The Almoravid Empire's Short Reign

• The Almoravid empire was short-lived due to corruption, increased taxes, Christian advances, and new Berber tribes (Almohads) conquering North Africa.

• Following their defeat at the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212, internal crises led to the collapse of the Almohad empire as Christian kingdoms reduced Islamic territory significantly.

The Nasrid Kingdom's Survival

• Fernando I of Castile conquered Guadalquivir Valley while Jaime I took Valencia and Balearic Islands; this set up future divisions between Aragon and Castile until unification under Catholic Monarchs.

• From 1248 to 1492, only Muhammad I of the Nasrids survived against Christian offensives by controlling Granada, Málaga, and Almería through diplomacy.

Factors Contributing to Nasrid Longevity

• Three key factors allowed Nasrid survival: diplomatic skill, challenging geography of southern Spain, and internal issues within Christian territories that kept them focused on consolidation rather than expansion.

Political Organization in Al-Andalus

• Al-Andalus was administratively divided into provinces called coras governed by a valí (governor) and caíd (military chief), with centralized authority in Emir or Caliph palaces.

• Public administration was managed by divans led by visirs (ministers), ensuring structured governance across regions.

Economic Structure and Social Hierarchy

• State revenues came from various sources including taxes; Muslims paid zakat while Mozarabs faced personal taxes like jizya alongside property taxes affecting muladíes too.

• Most inhabitants were free landowners or merchants; social stratification included Arabs at top positions followed by Berbers who held lesser roles due to discrimination.

Ethnic Diversity Impacting Society

• Muladíes often revolted against tax increases due to discrimination; Mozarabs and Jews sometimes achieved wealth but many emigrated due to increasing hardships.

• Slaves formed the lowest societal tier working under harsh conditions primarily in agriculture.

Economic and Cultural Insights of Al-Andalus

Slavery and Economic Structure

• The majority of slaves in Al-Andalus originated from the Slavic regions of Eastern Europe, with unproven theories suggesting Arabs enslaved Iberians before Spain's formation.

• The economic structure contrasted with the ruralism of Christian North, where agriculture was less productive; Muslims introduced advanced urbanization and market-oriented agriculture.

Pillars of Economy in Al-Andalus

• Key economic pillars included agriculture, craftsmanship, commerce, and currency. Agricultural changes were marked by tenant farming contracts where peasants paid landowners a share of their harvest.

• Irrigation systems like acequias and norias expanded agricultural production, introducing diverse crops such as rice, fruits, vegetables, sugar cane, mulberry, and cotton while maintaining traditional staples like olives and cereals.

Craftsmanship and Trade

• Urban centers became hubs for various crafts including textiles (wool, silk), leatherwork, metalwork (goldsmithing), ceramics, paper-making, weapons manufacturing; naval industries thrived in coastal areas.

• Long-distance trade flourished between the 8th and 9th centuries as Muslims monopolized Mediterranean commerce; they exported wool, glassware, oil, and wine to Northern Europe while importing luxury goods.

Currency System

• The monetary system relied on gold dinars and silver dirhams exchanged at a rate of 10:1; these coins circulated even in Christian kingdoms lacking their own currency systems.

• Despite religious intolerance from Arab rule in Iberia, this period is characterized by cultural flourishing alongside repression experienced by Christian kingdoms. Acknowledging both perspectives is essential for understanding historical context.

Cultural Legacy

• Al-Andalus emerged as an intellectual center influenced by Arabic models combined with Persian and Greco-Roman cultures during its peak in the 10th to 11th centuries; periods of Taifas saw significant artistic freedom.

• Andalusian culture significantly impacted Christian kingdoms in Western Europe across various fields including history (Ibn Khaldun), geography (Al Idrissi), sciences (Al Maïrti), literature & philosophy (Averroes). Philosophical developments followed Aristotelian & Platonic traditions through figures like Maimonides.

Artistic Contributions

• The architectural style reflected Islamic art characteristics emphasizing religious structures like mosques which served as symbols of power; notable examples include the Great Mosque of Córdoba built over a Visigothic cathedral showcasing Arab-Roman influences.

History of Islamic Architecture in the Iberian Peninsula

Architectural Developments from the 8th to 11th Century

• The architectural evolution began in the 8th century with Ávdela el Raman and concluded in the 10th century under Al-Ham and Al-Manzor, showcasing significant reforms.

• Civil architecture is exemplified by palaces and alcazabas, including remnants of Medina-Talzara, a palatial city commissioned by Ávdela el Raman III.

• The aljafería of Zaragoza represents a later fortified structure from the taifa period, highlighting advancements in defensive architecture.

• Notable constructions include the Alcazabas of Málaga and Almería, which were built during this era.

• The construction of the Alhambra palace in Granada commenced in the 11th century, recognized as one of the most impressive architectural monuments on the Iberian Peninsula.

Artistic Limitations Under Islamic Influence

• A notable absence of paintings and sculptures can be attributed to Islamic religious prohibitions against depicting humans or animals in art during this period.

• Over time, some regions have adapted these restrictions; however, early representations remain scarce within this historical context.

• Despite limited human representation in art, Islamic architecture compensates for this lack through its grandeur and intricate designs.

• This architectural focus reflects broader cultural values within the Arab Empire during its influence over the Iberian Peninsula.