As I promised, let's start with the bookscans:
Al-ANDALUS. PERSONAJES HISTÓRICOS
(Al Andalus. Historical figures)
Concepción Masiá
Summary
Introduction.................................. 9
The precursors of al-Andalus.....13
Count Don Julián....................13
Tarif ben Malluk. ....................15
Musa ben Nusayr and Tariq ben Ziyad: the conquerors of Spania...........16
Abd al-Aziz: a good governor with an unfortunate fate ..........................25
The Odyssey of Prince Abd al-Rahman the Immigrant......................................29
Abd al-Rahman was only twenty-five years old.........................................36
Sulayman ben Yaqzan ben al-Arabi: Charlemagne's deceived "deceiver" ........................... ...........41
Amrus ben Yusuf: the muladí of Huesca
.............................................................47
The “rabadies”: adventurous spirits.. ..............................................53
Ziryab: the singer of Baghdad........61
Tarub: the favorite of Abd al-Rahman II...............,...........................................67
Abbas ben Firnas: the first aviator............................ ......................73
Yahya ben Hakan al-Bakri: the miserly poet.....................................................77
Abd al Chabbar and Sulayman ben Martin: the rebels of Mérida..........................81
Eulogio and Álvaro de Córdoba:
pursuing martyrdom..........................85
The Andalusian Vikings..................... 95
The emir Abd Allah distrust and death...............................….................... 101
Musa ben Musa ben Qasi: the third king of Spain.......................................................107
Ibn Hafsun: the unredeemed rebel.....115
Abu Alí al-Sarrach: the Andalusian missionary. ...........................................125
Ibn Masarra: a freethinker in Spanish Islam.......,...........,...................................131
Abd al-Rahman III:
the first independent caliph of al-Andalus. ...........,................................137
Hasday ibn Shaprut:
the Jewish doctor of Abd al-Rahman III............ ....... ...................... ................... 145
Andalusians in France: the “Moorish kingdom” of Fraxinetum....................... 151
Rabbi ben Zayd: Bishop Recemundo............................................. 157
Al-Hakam al-Mustansir bi-llah:
passion for culture.................................. 161
Ibn Abd Rabbhi, the encyclopedist,
and Ibn Futais, the collector.................. 167
Al-Mansur “the Victorious” ...................171
Hisham II and Sanchuelo: misrule. .......191
Abu Muhammad Ali ibn Hazm:
The pigeon neackle................................209
Hisham III al-Mu'tadd: the end of the Umayyad caliphate...............................215
Ibn al-Wafid: the gardener doctor.....221
Avempace. The supreme good: wisdom...................................................225
Zaida: the Moorish Queen of Leon and Castile........................................................227
Ibn Tufayl of Guadix:
the best disciple of Avempace................. ............................ .231
Averroes: the universal Andalusian....233
Moseh ben Maimon: Maimonides..... ..239
Abu Yusuf Yaqub: the winner of Alarcos......................................................243
Ibn Arabi: the Sufi mystic.....................249
Avenzoar: a long dynasty of doctors. ...................................................253
Al-Ahmar: Abenámar, Moor of the Morería. ...,...............................................255
The Abencerrajes. ..................................261
Boabdil the Younger: the last Moorish king ............................................................267
Aben Humeya: the last Muslim leader of Spain................ ..........................................275
Bibliography .............................................285
Note: The spelling of Muslim names is taken from the works of: Levy Provençal,
Muslim Spain, and González Ferrín, General History of al-Andalus.
Introduction
In the long eight hundred years that the Muslims remained in Spain, there were many personalities who, in all the fields of knowledge, sciences, letters and arts, stood out unequivocal, marking a milestone not only in the culture of al-Andalus, but that had a relevant character in universal culture.
On the other hand, the almost constant struggle between Christians and Muslims would also generate a whole series of great warriors who, for example, the infante Don Juan Manuel considered the best gifted for the war of all those who existed in the East and the West of their time.
The date that we all know as the arrival of the Muslims to Gothic Spania dates back to the year 711. Its expansion throughout the territory was so rapid as had been the conquest of the Persian empire and its presencein large areas of Asia or North Africa, but from a cultural point of view, the 8th century was totally sterile. The new conquerors who arrived from beyond the Strait of Gibraltar, were men at arms, mostly illiterate, who could do little contribute to a Christian Spania whose culture continued to develop under the dictates of the wisdom of Saint Isidore of Seville. Still they were left on the Peninsula
many areas where Christianity had not taken root and its importance regarding the assimilation of Islam.
The first governors of al-Andalus, dependent on Caliphate of Damascus, during the first years of occupation
had to face many enormous internal problems, originated by the different origins of their own people, Arabs
and berebers, mostly, while cultural issues occupied a very secondary level. But, possibly for purely practical reasons, Arabic as a language was introduced into the Christian field. According to Juan Vernet, it is possible to find
some codices from times as early as the 9th century, that in its margins appear apostilles or comments in Arabic,
and it seems that this language was already rooted among the Mozarabs,
that is, the Christians who continued to live and preserve their religion in Muslim-dominated territories, in times
before Abd al-Rahman II.
But it will be Abd al-Rahman I the Immigrant, who arrived in al-Andalus from Syria as the only survivor of the exterminated Umayyad dynasty, the one who will be concerned with introducing the principles of oriental culture in
Spain, limiting itself to the legal-religious sciences that, in those moments, were the most important for the newly Muslims
arrived. It was during the time of Abd al-Rahman II that the first wise men, who can be called that, enrich the cultural landscape of al-Andalus.
Poets, doctors, philosophers, mathematicians, geographers, undefeated generals...All of them will give al-Andalus and Europe a series of works that, by their importance will be translated, searched, accepted and will serve as a basis for the western culture and Renaissance ideas, in such a way that many of the great sages of the Italian Renaissance considered that all knowledge of the time came from Muslim Spain, which all the wise men were of Andalusian origin. And when the political decline and the disintegration of the caliphate, will not stop birth, grow and develop distinguished minds that will continue to maintain,for a long time, the prestige of al-Andalus. Curiously, this situation will be repeated throughout the history of Spain, when the Arab occupation just be a memory. The Spanish Golden Age will coincide with decadence of the Austrias, when the country loses its pre-ponderance in Europe, and with the disaster of '98, with the loss for Spain of its last colonies, will produce a cultural and scientific renaissance that has been called the Silver age.
Through the pages of this book we want to highlight those figures who occupied a predominant place in the history of al-Andalus, although not all of them were necessarily Muslims, since that in that cultured and tolerant al-Andalus, many Jews and some other Christians showed their genius, and of those who, often, we know more about his works than about his biography. But whatever religion they had, they were all, after all, Andalusians, born and raised in the extensive lands of al-Andalus. As a matter of curiosity we will include some groups of characters
anonymous people who, due to their surprising
actions, on occasions dictated by necessity, they reveal the ingenuity or character of the Andalusians. Such would be the case of the "rabadíes", of the Moors who, for a time, established a small kingdom in France, or those Normans who ended up becoming Andalusians and Muslims to save their lives.
Perhaps this way we will learn a little more about that crossbred Spain, in which despite so many years of struggle, truces and battles, mutual loves and hates, numerous characters belonging to the three cultures, Moors, Christians and Jews shared knowledge, affinities and forms of
life, making al-Andalus the cultural beacon of the West.
The precursors of al-Andalus
Count Don Julián
The conquest of Morocco had been carried out quickly, but shallow. The Berbers were only subdued after a fierce resistance, defeated by an ambitious general who had just been appointed governor of Ifriqiya and Maghrib. His successes in these lands
They would prepare the ground for him to be the one to set his eyes and, also
his troops, over Gothic Spania. It was Musa ben Nusayr.
Musa, with the help of one of his sons, took possession of Tangier, and demanded that the subjugated tribes hostage to educate them in the new faith, which in turn, became propagandists of Islam, leaving in the conquered Morocco
Arab lieutenants, including General Tariq ben Ziyad, he turned to Ifriqiya. But it seems that the Ceuta square remained
in the hands of a Christian, the so-called Count Don Julián, who would have a
determining role in this entire story. We could consider it as a precursor of that al-Andalus that was about to be born.
26 notes
·
View notes
MC Falling Asleep on M6's Lap (Baewatch)
It's been a hot minute since I posted anything and, unfortunately, I don't have the brain power to do any new content. But I figured I would post a headcanon from my old blog. Someone had requested this a long time ago and I loved writing it. The idea was so cute! I love the Baewatch tale and the bonfire scene at the end is so fun. So, here you go! Also, updated my banners just to try out something new :)
Asra is more than prepared for you to fall asleep on his lap. In fact, he can sense your exhaustion before even you can. He gives you a knowing smirk at your first yawn, leans back where he’s seated in the sand, and offers up his lap for you to lay your head in.
“I’m not sleepy,” you insist, crossing your arms indignantly. But his lap looks pretty inviting. Within minutes, you’re conked out, head cradled by Asra’s legs. He tenderly runs his fingers through your hair, smiling softly down at your slumbering form.
When it’s time to leave, he gently rouses you from your sleep. “MC,” he whispers, carefully shifting you in his lap, “It’s time to go.” Groggily, you rise. Hand in hand, you and Asra walk the length of the beach, back to your room, where you get some much needed rest, snuggled up in his arms <3
You’re already resting your head on Nadia’s lap when you feel the first twinge of exhaustion. Your eyes start to droop, though you try desperately to keep them open. You want to watch Julian’s magical fire display, but you’re just so tired.
Nadia discovers you’re asleep when she looks down to see if you’re enjoying yourself. She smiles to herself, moving a strand of your hair aside that’s fallen in front of your eyes. She thinks you look positively adorable. So adorable, in fact, she feels suddenly compelled to pinch your cheeks (but refrains, not wanting to rudely awaken you).
When it’s time to go, Nadia lays a soft kiss on your forehead and whispers your name. She guides you back to your room, holding you close and keeping you warm in the chilly night air. She makes sure you have everything you need before snuggling up beside you in bed<3
You’re dazzled by the multicolored lights flashing before your eyes, changing with each powder Julian tosses into the fire. There’s so much joy floating around the campfire, you find yourself feeling utterly relaxed. So relaxed, in fact, that you lay your head down in Julian’s lap and pass out.
Julian’s too busy showing off his magical powders to notice you’ve fallen asleep, at first. But when he finally does take notice, he makes sure to quiet down. He rubs small circles on your back, gazing thoughtfully down at your peaceful face. He’s glad to see you so restful.
When it’s time to go, he doesn’t bother to try waking you. Instead, he carefully lifts you into his arms and carries you back to your room. He’s so very gentle when he tucks you in, stealthily sliding into bed beside you and cuddling you close <3
Portia practically pulls you into her lap when she notices you yawning. With a wink, she promises she’ll wake you up if anything crazy exciting happens. You smile up at her before falling asleep to the comforting sensation of her combing her fingers through your hair.
You’re knocked out for the remainder of the bonfire. Portia makes mental notes of all the things you’re missing, ready to regale you with all of the nonsense that occurred while you slept. She marvels over the fact that you could sleep through Lucio’s racket (though she did see your face twist in what could’ve been annoyance when he was being particularly loud). She was quick to quiet him down, shooting him a dirty look.
When it’s time to leave, Portia leans in to whisper in your ear, “Come on, cuddle bug. It’s time to go.” She giggles as your eyes flutter open and you flash a quizzical look her way. She’s never called you “cuddle bug” before and you’re not sure how you feel about it. You can’t help but laugh a little as she guides you back to the room, ready to settle in for the night with you <3
Muriel has been silent, as usual, the whole of the night. But you’ve caught him smiling a few times. He seems a bit mesmerized by the changing colors of the fire. Seeing him relaxed makes you feel even more relaxed than you already were. You lay your head down in Muriel’s lap, which startles him at first, and decide to close your eyes for a minute.
Well, a minute becomes a while. You’re lulled to sleep by Muriel’s warmth, the crackle of the fire, and the gentle rush of the waves. Muriel is rigid when he discovers you’ve fallen asleep on him. He doesn’t move a muscle the entire rest of the night, terrified to wake you up. In fact, he barely breathes in fear of rousing you (something you’ll laugh about later).
When it’s time to go, he awkwardly lifts you from the ground, cradling you gently in his arms. You wake up on the walk back to your room, but he keeps you snuggled up in his embrace. When you reach home, you fall asleep again, wrapped up in his arms <3
In the brief moment that night when Lucio is actually sitting still, you manage to lay your head in his lap. “Don’t you go falling asleep on me, MC!” he teases, catching you yawning, “The night is young, yet!” You roll your eyes at him, settling further in. Secretly, he’s happy you’re cuddling up with him.
Despite Lucio’s hullabaloo, you manage to fall asleep. When he looks down to ask if you want anything else to eat or drink, he notices you’re passed out in his lap. A lot of things go through his mind, all at once. He has half a mind to draw a moustache on you, smiling devilishly at the thought. But he’s also just really delighted that you’re relaxed enough with him to fall asleep.
He lets you rest (though he’s not very good at keeping quiet for you and, in his excitement over the bonfire, he definitely bonks you in the head a couple times with his knee which is followed up by profuse apologies, smooches, and hushes for you to go back to sleep). When it’s time to go, he shakes you awake (a bit unceremoniously), but makes up for it when you return to your room by tucking you into bed and cuddling up beside you <3
1K notes
·
View notes