An engaging profile of the greatest of the Umayyad rulers of Spain and the first to take the title of Caliph.
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Abd al-Rahman III (891 - 961) was the greatest of the Umayyad rulers of Spain and the first to take the title of Caliph. During his reign, Islamic Spain became wealthy and prosperous. He founded the great Caliphate of Madinat al-Zahra at Cordova and did much in his lifetime to pacify his realm and stabilise the borders with Christian Spain. He died at the apex of his power on Oct. 15, 961.
Maribel Fierro is Investigador Cientifico at the Departmento de Estudios Arabes, CSIC, Spain.
Foreword
1 THE FOURTEEN DAYS OF HAPPINESS OF 'ABD AL-RAHMAN III (r. 912-61)
2 AL-ANDALUS BEFORE THE SECOND UMAYYAD CALIPHATE
What was al-Andalus?
Arabs and Berbers, the Muslim tribesmen who conquered al-Andalus
The conquered population and the process of conversion
The Umayyad emirs: centralization, law, and clientage
External enemies
3 THE COLLAPSE OF UMAYYAD POWER AND ITS RECOVERY BY 'ABD AL-RAHMAN III (912-28)
Muslims against Muslims: the Umayyad confrontation with Arabs, Berbers, and Muwallads
Umayyads against Umayyads: the reign of emir 'Abd Allah (r. 888-912)
A new beginning: 'Abd al-Rahman III becomes emir (912)
Securing the central lands and the defeat of the Hafsunids (912-28)
The frontier regions
4 CALIPHATE AND CONSOLIDATION (929-61)
The adoption of the caliphal title and the minting of gold
Extending Umayyad power in the frontier regions: the fall of Toledo and Zaragoza
Betrayal: the battle of Simancas-Alhandega (939)
Relationships with the Christian polities
Conflict with the Fatimids and North African policies
5 THE CALIPH'S FAMILY AND HIS MEN
The caliph's family
Men of the sword and men of the pen
Slaves and eunuchs
Hierarchies and egalitarianism among the Muslim population
Christians and Jews
6 BUILDING THE CALIPHATE: STICK, STONES, AND WORDS
The carrot and the stick
Cordoba and Madinat al-Zahra'
The writing of history
Scholars and men of letters
Religious policies and the Maliki identity
7 'ABD AL-RAHMAN III'S LEGACY
APPENDIX: How do we know what we know about 'Abd al-Rahman III?
Bibliography
Index