Caliphate of Córdoba
Spain, 929 CE–1031. Draft, not yet reviewed
The Emirate of Córdoba, and from 929, the Caliphate of Córdoba, was an Arab Islamic state ruled by the Umayyad dynasty from 756 to 1031. Its territory comprised most of the Iberian Peninsula, known to Muslims as al-Andalus, with its capital in Córdoba. In 1031, after years of infighting, the caliphate collapsed and fractured into a number of independent Muslim taifa (kingdoms).
Seat of power: Córdoba
Rulers
Abd-ar-Rahman III
caliph of Córdoba, 929 CE–961 CE
In 929, he elevated the emirate to the Caliphate of Córdoba, serving as its first caliph until his death. His half-century reign was known for its religious tolerance. Domestically, Abd al-Rahman crushed internal rebellions and constructed the palace-city of Medina Azahara.
Portrait of Abd-ar-Rahman III: Numismática Pliego, CC BY-SA 3.0, file
Al-Hakam II
caliph of Córdoba, 961 CE–976 CE
He secured peace with the Catholic kingdoms of northern Iberia, and made use of the stability to develop agriculture through the construction of irrigation works. Economic development was also encouraged through the widening of streets and the building of markets.
Portrait of Al-Hakam II: Numismática Pliego, CC BY-SA 3.0, file
Hisham II
caliph of Córdoba, 976 CE–1013
In 976, at the age of 10, Hisham II succeeded his father Al-Hakam II as Caliph of Córdoba. Because he was too young to rule, his mother Subh and first minister Jafar al-Mushafi acted as regents, and in 978 Almanzor manipulated his way into the position of royal chamberlain.
Portrait of Hisham II: Unknown author, Public domain, file
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Sulayman ibn al-Hakam
caliph of Córdoba, 1009–1010
He completed his campaign and entered Córdoba on 9 November 1009, and he deposed Hisham II and was elected caliph by his Berber troops.
Portrait of Sulayman ibn al-Hakam: Ángel M. Felicísimo from Mérida, España, CC BY 2.0, file
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Muhammad II of Córdoba
caliph of Córdoba, 1009–1010
In early 1009 he led a rebellion against the existing Caliph, ultimately deposing and imprisoning Hisham II. He took the throne for himself but oppressed, slaughtered, and ultimately expelled many resident Berbers from the city.
Sulayman ibn al-Hakam
caliph of Córdoba, 1013–1016
His policy of concessions to Berbers, Arab and "slave" troops and leaders effectively reduced the caliphate's authority to only Córdoba.
Portrait of Sulayman ibn al-Hakam: Ángel M. Felicísimo from Mérida, España, CC BY 2.0, file
Ali ibn Hammud al-Nasir
caliph of Córdoba, 1016–1018
He was the sixth Caliph of Córdoba and first from the Hammudid dynasty. By late 1013 he declared himself independent of Sulayman and announced that he would undertake to free the legitimate caliph Hisham II.
Al-Qasim al-Ma'mun
caliph of Córdoba, 1018–1021
After al-Nasir was assassinated, he claimed the throne as caliph al-Ma'mun on 28 March 1018.
Yahya ibn Ali ibn Hammud al-Mu'tali
caliph of Córdoba, 1021–1023
He marched on Córdoba with his Berber supporters and was proclaimed caliph al-Mu'tali on 13 August 1021.
Portrait of Yahya ibn Ali ibn Hammud al-Mu'tali: Numismática Pliego, CC BY-SA 3.0, file
Abd ar-Rahman V
caliph of Córdoba, 1023–1024
Although he surrounded himself with competent functionaries, the young caliph was unable to return the Caliphate to the strength, unity, and power of the former Umayyad state. He was put on the throne in December 1023 and was allowed to rule for only 47 days.
Al-Qasim al-Ma'mun
caliph of Córdoba, 1023–1023
He took the opportunity to return and take the city, but six months later riots forced him to flee again.
Muhammad III of Córdoba
caliph of Córdoba, 1024–1025
His reign was marked by instability, like that of his predecessor. In May 1025 he learned of a plot to depose him and fled Córdoba disguised as a singer.
Yahya ibn Ali ibn Hammud al-Mu'tali
caliph of Córdoba, 1025–1026
Upon arriving on 9 November 1025, he found a city with an empty treasury and no functioning government. He put his vizier Abu Ja'far ibn Musa in charge before returning to Málaga.
Portrait of Yahya ibn Ali ibn Hammud al-Mu'tali: Numismática Pliego, CC BY-SA 3.0, file
Hisham III of Córdoba
caliph of Córdoba, 1026–1031
After long negotiations between the governors of the border regions and the people of Córdoba, he was chosen as caliph in June 1027. As his prime minister he chose Hakam ibn Sa'id, and actions such as raising taxes, even in part to pay for mosques, led to heavy opposition from the Muslim clerics.
Culture
- The period was characterized by an expansion of trade and culture, including the construction of well-known pieces of Andalusi architecture, most notably the Great Mosque of Córdoba and the palatine city of Madinat al-Zahra.
- The caliphate reached an intellectual and scholarly peak under Al-Hakam II.
- At the Great Mosque of Córdoba, Abd al-Rahman III added a minaret finished in 958, and his son al-Hakam II added a richly decorated new mihrab and maqsurah section finished in 971.
Picture
The Great Mosque was constructed in 785 on the orders of Abd al-Rahman I, founder of the Islamic Emirate of Córdoba.
Image: Toni Castillo Quero, CC BY-SA 2.0, file
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Sources
Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.