Although the word al-Andalus acquires different nuances in Arab sources, the concept of al-Andalus refers to the territory of the Iberian Peninsula under the Muslim power, which spread over between 711 and 1492. Depending on the moment, it occupied more or less extension in the Iberian Peninsula: in its beginnings, in the 8th century, it occupied a large part of the Peninsula, and even went beyond the Pyrenees before undergoing a progressive decrease, sometimes slowly, other times accelerated, until the end of the Nasrid emirate of Granada in 1492. Depending on the moment, it occupied more or less extension in the Iberian Peninsula: in its beginnings, in the 8th century, it occupied a large part of the Peninsula, and even went beyond the Pyrenees before undergoing a progressive decrease, sometimes slowly, other times accelerated, until the end of the Nasrid emirate of Granada in 1492.
The Umayyad Emirate and the Caliphate
When the Islamic civilization arose, at the beginning of the 7th century, it extended both East and Westwards. At the start of the 8th century, in 711, Arab groups and families coming from the East entered the Iberian Peninsula, as well as Berber groups from the Maghreb, which gradually settled in the lands of al-Andalus. At the start of the 8th century, in 711, Arab groups and families coming from the East entered the Iberian Peninsula, as well as Berber groups from the Maghreb, which gradually settled in the lands of al-Andalus.
During the second half of the 8th century there was a dynastic rupture in the Islamic empire that ended with the Umayyads ruling in Damascus, in order to enthrone the Abbasids, who settled in Baghdad. An Umayyad prince escaped from Damascus, Abderrahman, landed in al-Andalus and founded a new state based in Cordoba, the Emirate, becoming independent from Baghdad. An Umayyad prince escaped from Damascus, Abderrahman, landed in al-Andalus and founded a new state based in Cordoba, the Emirate, becoming independent from Baghdad.
There were eight emirs between 756 and 929 during a period that was culturally brilliant, –although also with some periods of instability– until Abderrahman III decided to found a Caliphate, proclaiming himself Emir al-Muminin (Prince of the Faithful) that, apart from worldly power, also gave him spiritual power over the umma (community of believers), so becoming completely independent from the East.
During the rule of this caliph and his successor al-Hakam II, al-Andalus went through some of the moments of greatest cultural splendour: his court welcomed great scientists, poets, philosophers… and during these years major works of the architecture of al-Andalus were built and enlarged, such as the palatine city of Madinat al-Zahra (Córdoba) or the mosque of Córdoba. In turn, they maintained contacts with the great foreign courts of that time, both in the Islamic scope, Byzantium and other European powers. In turn, they maintained contacts with the great foreign courts of that time, both in the Islamic scope, Byzantium and other European powers.
