November 2024 Edition

Culture & News

When the Moors Ruled in Europe

The Moors invaded Spain in 711 C.E.  and established a powerful religious empire in the Al Andalus region, which includes the cities of Granada, Corboda, and Toledo. Their rule lasted for over 500 years. The documentary: When the Moors Ruled in Europe (2005), provides historical analysis of the Western Empire of Islam. The film has beautiful cinematography of the royal palaces and explains the role of mathematics used in the architecture.

The documentary describes Spain as being ruled by the Visigoths, a Germanic tribe, prior to the Arab invasion. These Visigoth ruled cities were already in crisis and although there were some invasion battles, the Arabs took the cities fairly easily. The film asserts this is a controversial stance, which counters the traditional view of the Arab invasion as the cause of the cities collapse. The Moors rule brought irrigation technology, crops such as avocados and pomegranates, paper making factories, and religious conversion to Islam. This is in contrast to Europe’s wooden houses and serfdom issues.¹  

The long-standing Western Empire of the Moors was now being challenged by the Christian (Catholic) kings. In 1085 C.E., they took control of the city Toledo away from the Moors. These Christian kings had gained significant power of the Al Andalus region and the city of Granada was the last to fall. When the city finally surrendered, its ruler was told by his Moorish mother: “Do not weep like a woman, for what you can’t defend like a man.” ²  

There is some debate over the race and/or ethnicity of the Moors. According to Derek Bridges, of the Home Team History Channel: “The Moorish Empire had different factions and periods, that are layered in complexity…they were separated and ruled by different caliphates…sometimes they didn’t get along with each other…Some say the Moors are Black, some say they were Arabs. But the overwhelming truth is, it really depends on which caliphate you’re talking about.” ³   

Learn more about this interesting empire by watching the videos below!

Bibliography:

(1,2) When the Moors Ruled in Europe, directed by Timothy Copestake (2005; United Kingdom: Acorn Media), DVD.   

(3) “African Conquers of Spain: The Moors.” YouTube video, 9:44. “Home Team History Channel,” June 23, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hISBst26ZGE

*Notice: The article “When the Moors Ruled in Europe” was first published in the June 2021 Edition to view click here.

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🍁Book Quote:

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