The Berber chief, Zawi ibn Ziri, makes Granada his capital. The Slav Mujahid, al-Amiri, rules in Almería, a key southern port city. The North African Shi’i Berbers, the Ibn Hammud brothers, attempt to wrest the caliphate in Córdoba from Umayyad princes. The qadi (chief judge) of Seville, Muhammad ibn Abbad,…
Conflict Erupts
Conflict erupts between newly arrived Berber troops from North Africa and the urban population of Córdoba, leading to the death of Caliph Hisham II and the sacking of Madinat al-Zahra. Anarchy reigns, and power is divided among Arab elites, Berber mercenaries, muwallads, and Slav converts to Islam, who served the…
Sancho III of Navarre Inflicts Major Losses On the Muslims
Sancho III of Navarre inflicts major losses on the Muslims. He then gains control of Aragon and Castile, uniting the three kingdoms for a brief period before granting them to each of his sons. Al-Mansur dies from a battle wound.
Muhammad Ibn Abi Amir (Al-Mansur) Becomes the Regent of Caliph Hisham II
Muhammad Ibn Abi Amir (Al-Mansur), an ambitious palace official, becomes the regent of 11-year-old Caliph Hisham II, son of al-Hakam. Al-Mansur leads a series of military campaigns against Christian fortresses and towns for two decades, relying on new Berber forces from North Africa. In 987, he attacks the pilgrimage town…
Fatimids Conquer Egypt and Found Cairo
The Fatimids conquer Egypt and found Cairo as their new capital. Maslama al-Majriti brings Al-Khawarizmi’s algebra and astronomical tables to Al-Andalus. The French monk, Gerbert of Aurillac — having studied mathematics in Barcelona, Córdoba and Seville — tutors Otto II, the future Holy Roman Emperor. In 999, Gerbert is elected…
Caliph al-Hakam II Continues His Father’s Pattern of Wise Governance
Caliph al-Hakam II continues his father’s pattern of wise governance by supporting scientific and literary activities, funding public works, and expanding agricultural projects. He also makes peace with Christian rulers in the north. Hispani-Roman conversion to Islam reaches its peak. In light of Córdoba’s growing population, which exceeds 500,000, al-Hakam…
