The
expansion of moors power in Europe.
moors in Spain led by Tariq ibn-Ziyad the conqueror
The Spanish occupation by the Moors began in 711 AD when an African army, under their leader Tariq ibn-Ziyad, crossed the Strait of Gibraltar from northern Africa and invaded the Iberian Peninsula ‘Andalus' (Spain under the Visigoths).
moors in Spain led by Tariq ibn-Ziyad the conqueror
The Spanish occupation by the Moors began in 711 AD when an African army, under their leader Tariq ibn-Ziyad, crossed the Strait of Gibraltar from northern Africa and invaded the Iberian Peninsula ‘Andalus' (Spain under the Visigoths).
A European scholar sympathetic
to the Spaniards remembered the conquest in this way. “The reins of their
(Moors) horses were as fire, their faces black as pitch, their eyes shone like
burning candles, their horses were swift as leopards and the riders fiercer
than a wolf in a sheepfold at night The noble Goths (the German rulers of Spain
to whom Roderick belonged) were broken in an hour, quicker than tongue can
tell. Oh luckless Spain.” Quoted from The Moors and Portugal's Global
Expansion, in Golden Age of the Moor, ed Ivan Van Sertima, US, Transaction
Publishers, 1992, p.336
The Moors, who ruled Spain for 800
years, introduced new scientific techniques to Europe, such as an astrolabe, a
device for measuring the position of the stars and planets. Scientific progress
in Astronomy, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Geography and Philosophy
flourished in Moorish Spain.
Basil Davidson, one of the most noted
historians recognized and declared that there were no lands at that time (the
eighth century) "more admired by its neighbours, or more comfortable to
live in, than a rich African civilization which took shape in Spain"
At its height, Córdova, the heart of
Moorish territory in Spain, was the most modern city in Europe.
Benjamin Banneker was a free African American almanac author, surveyor, naturalist, and farmer. Born in Baltimore County, Maryland, to a free African American woman and a former slave. He later was asked by George Washington to plan the state of Washington which he later took his plans away when he quitted the plan. Today the state of Washington however it is of his plans and knowledge of the Mosonic knowledge. London’s clock tower today represents his work, hence he became the first American to create a clock, a wooden clock which the British adored much to name the London clock tower “Big Ben”. During the year 1789, Banneker sent George his work calculating a solar eclipse.
Benjamin Banneker was a free African American almanac author, surveyor, naturalist, and farmer. Born in Baltimore County, Maryland, to a free African American woman and a former slave. He later was asked by George Washington to plan the state of Washington which he later took his plans away when he quitted the plan. Today the state of Washington however it is of his plans and knowledge of the Mosonic knowledge. London’s clock tower today represents his work, hence he became the first American to create a clock, a wooden clock which the British adored much to name the London clock tower “Big Ben”. During the year 1789, Banneker sent George his work calculating a solar eclipse.
The streets were well-paved, with raised sidewalks for pedestrians. During the night, ten miles of streets were well illuminated by lamps. (This was hundreds of years before there was a paved street in Paris or a street lamp in London.) Cordova had 900 public baths myths are that a poor Moor would go without bread rather than soap.The Great Mosque of Córdoba (La Mezquita) is still one of the architectural wonders of the world in spite of later Spain spoiling of its appearance (disfigurement).
Education was universal in Moorish Spain, available to all, while in Christian Europe ninety-nine percent of the population were illiterate, and even kings could neither read nor write. At that time, Europe had only two universities, the Moors had seventeen great universities! These were located in Almeria, Cordova, Granada, Juen, Malaga, Seville, and Toledo.
In the 10th and 11th
centuries, public libraries in Europe were non-existent, while Moorish Spain
could boast of more than seventy, of which the one in Cordova housed six
hundred thousand manuscripts.
Over 4,000 Arabic words and
Arabic-derived phrases have been absorbed into the Spanish language. Words
beginning with "al," for example, are derived from Arabic. Arabic
words such as algebra, alcohol, chemistry, nadir, alkaline, and cipher entered
the language. Even words such as checkmate, influenza, typhoon, orange, and
cable can be traced back to Arabic origins.
The Moors introduced music and several
instruments to Europe. The most significant Moorish musician was known as
Ziryab (the Blackbird) who arrived in Spain in 822. They introduced Lute or el
oud, the guitar or kithara and the Lyre. Ziryab changed the style of eating by
breaking meals into separate courses beginning with soup and ending with
desserts.
The Moors introduced paper to Europe
and Arabic numerals, which replaced the clumsy Roman system. Paper which began
first in Africa by the 14th century.
The Moors introduced many new crops
including the orange, lemon, peach, apricot, fig, sugar cane, dates, ginger and
pomegranate as well as saffron, sugar cane, cotton, silk and rice which remain
some of Spain's main products today.
The Moorish rulers lived in lavish
palaces, while the monarchs of Germany, France, and England dwelt in big barns,
with no windows and no chimneys, and with only a hole in the roof for the exit
of smoke. One such Moorish palace ‘Alhambra' (literally "the red
one") in Granada is one of Spain's architectural masterpieces. Alhambra
was the seat of Muslim rulers from the 13th century to the end of the 15th
century. The Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
It was through Africa that the new
knowledge of China, India, and Arabia reached Europe. The Moors brought the
Compass from China into Europe.
The Moors ruled and occupied Lisbon
(named "Lashbuna" by the Moors) and the rest of the country until
well into the 12th century. They were finally defeated and driven
out by the forces of King Alfonso Henriques. This this battle took place in the
Castle of St. George.
About Tariq ibn-Ziyad :
Born: 670 AD
Died: 720 AD, Damascus, Syria
Battles/wars: Conquest of Hispania; • Battle of Guadalete
Allegiance: Umayyad Caliphate
Other work: Governor of Al-Andalus
Battles and wars: Umayyad conquest of Hispania, Battle of Guadalete
About Banneker :
Born: 9 November 1731, Baltimore County, Maryland, United States
Died: 9 October 1806, Baltimore County, Maryland, United States
Nationality: American
Other name: Benjamin Bannaker
Nickname : Big Ben
Parents: Mary Bannaky, Robert Bannaky
Books: Benjamin Banneker, the Negro Mathematician and Astronomer
