Author Archives: Ruth

Caliph Harun al-Rashid died in 809. He left his kingdom to his two sons, al-Amin and al-Mamoun. Al-Amin’s mother was his cousin Zubayda, so overall his rank was higher, but al-Mamun was older and usually portrayed as more experienced. Al-Amin … Continue reading →

In the 9th century, the Emirs of Andalusia established so much independence from Baghdad that by the early 10th, Abd al-Rahman III called himself a Caliph, not an Emir. Emir means something like Prince; it implies high but subordinate rank. … Continue reading →

The court at Baghdad was doubtless much more urbane than upstart Cordoba’s. Baghdad was based in ancient Persian culture: its customs, food, musical instruments, poetry, and textiles. Even Abd al-Rahman, coming from Damascus, wasn’t as steeped in Persian luxuries as … Continue reading →

The Arabic way of life in Spain introduced some traditional musical instruments that hadn’t been part of Europe before. Names of musical instruments were far from standardized in the Middle Ages, perhaps because they were rarely enough seen. Whatever a … Continue reading →

Spanish Andalusia got involved in Europe’s international markets in completely new ways. In the early Middle Ages, trade operated mostly through fairs. Near to major highways, rivers and harbors, certain places had a traditional time during the year when people … Continue reading →

Spanish natives who converted to Islam were known as Muladi; those who remained Christians or Jews but just dressed and talked in an Arabic manner were Mozarabs. Mozarabic culture left a huge imprint on Spain; it was the majority culture … Continue reading →