844 ad
Ishbiliya
During the 9th century Seville was known as Ishbiliya in Arabic. The city claimed the decadent spot right between the fertile banks of the Guadalquiver, or Great River, just where the ships were no longer able to navigate further north. Seville was previously Isplas to the Vandals, Hisplas to the Romans and now Isbiliya to the Arabs, claiming a well established history.
Even though 9th century Seville boasted multiple cultures among the population, political power remained in the hands of the Arab Minority.
A little known fact about Seville, is that it was highly populated by Muwallads, Christians who converted to Islam and had been incorporated into the tribal structure.
Fun Fact: Most of the elite Arab court in Seville came forth from the Union between Sara the Goth, who was a decendant the Visigoth King Witiza, and Umar b. Said, who was one of Seville’s Arab conquerors. This union, and many other political marriages, helped to solidify the Arab rule in al-Andalus.
In addition to the Arab and Muwallad population, there was an entire Jewish community and a very large Mozareb community. Mozarebs are the Hispano-Visigoth Christians who did not give up their religion. The Christian arch bishop of al-Andalus was seated in Seville.
During the reign of Abd al Rahman II, the political structure of al-Andalus was based off of the Baghdadi model. In fact Abd al Rahman II based his entire court off of the Baghdadi model. The Emir preferred to spend his time reading, studying astrology, composing and reciting poetry, practicing the art of science, and encouraging renown scholars to make the pilgrimage to al-Andalus.
The most famous celebrity to make his way into the court of Abd al Rahman II is the famed Ziryab, formally known as, Ali Ibn Nafi. Ziryab is famed to have brought with him the courtly pleasures of Baghdad, including, but not limited to; fashion, make up, deodorant, musical styling, adding a string to the lute, creating a school of music, table wear, and poetry.
Many modern scholars feel that somewhere along the line, too many honors were placed upon a single man. I do not know whether he brought all he is said to have shared with al-Andalus, but my suspicions lead me to think many scholars throughout history, who shared a little at a time, have been lumped into one amazing super artisan who gets to take credit for it all.
In any case, the 9th century is when the pleasures of a leisurely court really began to settle into the courtly culture of al-Andalus.
This all leads me to wonder how Abd al Rahman was ever able to defeat the invading Norse. He must have had some cunning military leaders.
The Legacy of Muslim Spain, edited by Salma Khadra Jayyusi, Manuela Marín; Brill
The Emir of Cordoba
Abd al Rahman II Ibn al-Hakam I was the great grandson and namesake of emir Abd al-Rahman I, and ruled Muslim Spain from 822-852. Abd al Rahman II was born in 792 in Toledo and his father, al-Hakam I, clearly designated him successor before his own death. Like his predecessors, he had to face both internal and external threats to his power. His father had been quite heavy handed in his reign, and Abd al Rahman II’s first challenges were to put down the subsequent and continuing internal rebellions.
In 844 Abd al Rahman II faced a very real external threat in the form of Norsemen who landed at Lisbon and followed the gualdalquiver all the way to Seville, which they sacked. Abd al Rahman II did rally to recapture Seville and drove the Norsemen out in the same year, but the threat always remained. As a result, Abd al RahmanII reinforced the navy and built shipyards at Seville and a naval base at Almeria.
Gerli, E. Michael. Medieval Iberia: An Encyclopedia. Routledge, 2013. goggle books.
The Heathen worshiper of many gods
During the reign of King Ramiro I, a “cruel people” never seen before in these parts attacked Asturia from the sea. It is said that these invaders were men of Hasting and Bjorn Ironside. They plundered heavily has they descended the Northwest coast of the Iberian Peninsula.
In northern Iberia these men were known by many names: hombre del norte, Nortmanni, Normanni, Nordomanni, Lordomani, Lormanes, Lordomani, Lotimani, Lothomani, Sons of Belial, wolves, barbarians, and later in history: Almojuces, Almozudes, Almonides.
In southern Iberia; in the Arab Umayyad Caliphate exiled in al-Andalus; under the rule of Abd al Rahman II, these cruel warriors were known by only one name, Madjus.
Madjus: magus; magician;worshiper of many gods; heathen.
The Norse who invaded al-Andalus reminded the Andalusians of the Zorastrians of ancient Persia. The Zoratrians believed in Magi, or Magicians, thus the connection was made.
The Siege of Seville, 844 A.D. 