Moorish Spain to 1492

Authors: Eugene Vivelo, Aubrey Detert, Jon Smith
Butler University, Indianapolis, IN 46208

Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Dr. Keating for his help and guidance on this project.

 

Moorish Spain: The Beginning 

In the year 711, a Berber army under the leadership of Tariq ibn Ziyad crossed the Straits of Gibraltar into the Iberian Peninsula.Battle broke out between the invading army and Spain, led by King Roderic. Astonishingly, the Berber army was victorious. The King of Spain was murdered and the army went on to take over the capital city of Toledo (Fletcher 1).

The Moors brought knowledge of Eastern Civilizations like the Chinese, Indians, and Persians and combined it with their knowledge from the Western Civilizations, Greeks and Romans. The combination of the knowledge from these civilizations allowed the Islamic scientists to make great gains in technology, in a largely stagnant-technological-age of the Middle Age.

 

 

 

 

Tariq-ibn-Ziyad, leader of the Berber army

by Unknown, used under

 

 

Education and Technology

The Moors valued education and literacy. This is coupled with not only their culture, but their religion too. Throughout the Koran, there is great emphasis on the need for knowledge. Every major Islamic city had great, vast libraries. The city of Baghdad claimed to have over 400,000 books inside its library, while Western libraries at the time had hundreds of books at best. The library of Paris only had 900 books at this time (Copestake 2005).

One major contribution of the Moors was the Arabic number system. During the Medieval Ages, Europe was using the Roman number system which was neither very useful or effective. When Europeans learnt of the Arabic number system, they realized that it was far superior to the Roman number system and began to use it instead. The Arabic number system is still used today, nearly 1300 years later.

 

Al-Khwarizmi is recognized as the founder of modern Algebra. The actual name of algebra comes from the title of his most famous book, Kitab Al-Jabr wa al-Muqabilah (“The Book of Integration and Equation”). This book on algebra, in its translated form, was the  principal mathematics textbook in European universities until the 16th century (Backer).

The Moors were also credited with the invention of the astrolabe. The astrolabe is an instrument that has many different uses, such as telling time, locating different objects in space, and to find the length of a day. This invention was very ahead of its time and was incredibly helpful for the Moors. There is another type of astrolabe that can be used for navigation. This was often used by men who traveled at sea during this time (Backer).

 

Medicine

The Moors were also highly advanced when it came to medicine. Ibni Sa’eed was a prominent physician in Cordova and he was the author of a book that included information about pediatrics and embryology. This book led to several advancements in areas such as childbirth and midwifery. Surgical procedures of Moorish Spain were also advanced during this time. Az-Zaharawi, a prominent surgeon, wrote a book entitled “At-Tasreef.”The book included advanced surgical methods along with over 200 surgical instruments that Az-Zaharawi created himself. This book led to even greater medical advancements in the future (Kahn.)

Architecture 

Yusuf ibn Naghralla was a high ranking political figure and leader for the Berber King Badis ibn Habbus.  He was given power and control to be the leader of the Jewish population in the Granada area where he reconstructed the Alhambra fortress in the 1300’s and converted it into more of a palace rather than a fort.  He did this without the approval of the majority his people.  The fortress was described as extravagant and lavish.  Expensive stone and vital resources were used to assemble the fortress instead of being used to help the outer areas in need.  The main resource he took advantage of was water, redirecting the main well in the area to the structure.  Many people suffered and Yusuf made enemies because of his selfishness.  The fortress would later be invaded and most of the castle would be demolished by the Muslims, once again leaving the Alhambra in ruins in many sections. (Bargebuhr, 1956)

 

 

The Alhambra

by AlbertNLFoto, used under

The Alhambra would fall into despair and once again be resurrected.  It is now one of Spain’s major tourist spots.  The architecture of the building is considered by many very beautiful.  The outside is still a simple stone and reflects the sunlight off of the tan stone walls.  Water fountains extravagant columns run throughout the Alhambra.  The columns and decorations still show signs of the Muslim rule of the late 1400’s, but since the Renaissance influence around the 15^th and 16^th century (Aldine, 1874) many paintings have been added and the furniture of the building has been redone and added.  Another important part of the grounds are the gardens which have been taken care of and viewed as art by many.  Overall the structure of the building has stayed almost the same. (Earle, 1981)

 

Works Cited

Backer, P. (n.d.). islam spain and the history of technology history of technology. Retrieved from http://www.engr.sjsu.edu/pabacker/history/islam.htm\

Bargebuhr, F. (1956) The Alhambra Palace of the Eleventh Century. Retrieved from Warburg institute. 19.3/4 192-258. Print.

Earle, G. (1981) Spanish-Moorish Architecture and Garden Style: Its Background, Meaning and Comparison with Western Style. Retrieved from Environmental Review. 5.2 : 66-75. Print.

Fletcher, R. (1993). Moorish spain. Henry Holt and Company, Inc. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=wrMG-LfuU7oC&oi=fnd&pg=PR11&dq=moorish spain&ots=PN_U3iydr9&sig=pXYO_woQBzhu7Vqqc7dhtWxgm0s

Kahn, A. (n.d.). Muslim spain and western europe. Retrieved from http://www.renaissance.com.pk/novletf194.html

When the Moors Ruled in Europe. Dir. Timothy Copestake. Wildfire Television, 2005. DVD.

©December 2013