Taifa of Almería
Taifa Kingdom of Almería طائفة المرية Ṭa'ifa al-Mariyah | |||||||||||
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1010–1147 | |||||||||||
Roman Catholicism), Judaism | |||||||||||
Government | Monarchy | ||||||||||
Historical era | Middle Ages | ||||||||||
• Downfall of Caliphate of Cordoba | 1010 | ||||||||||
• To Valencia | 1038–1042 | ||||||||||
• To the Almoravid dynasty | 1091–1140 | ||||||||||
• Annexed by Castile | 1147 | ||||||||||
Currency | Dinar | ||||||||||
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The Taifa of Almería (
originated in 1012 and lasted until 1091.In this period the city of
The kingdom was important due to its strategic location, its harbour, and a developed and very important textile industry, with around five thousand
The kingdom finally was annexed to the Almoravid empire, as were all of the other taifas.
History
The exact year that Almeria gained independence from the Caliphate of Cordoba is debated by scholars. Some historians claim that the kingdom was independent when the Slavic Governor Ibn Aflah came to power. This is debated due to the influence Cordova still had during the two years of Ibn Aflah’ rule. However there is no doubt that once Khayran, himself a former governor of Almeria under the Caliphate, returned and took the city by siege, Almeria had gained independence.[citation needed]
During the rule of Khayran investments were made into the infrastructure in Almeria.[citation needed] Khayran expanded and fortified the Alcazaba, the palace of Almeria.[4] He also invested in expanding the great mosque of Almeria.[citation needed] Khayran's reign was a time of economic prosperity for Almeria. The port of Almeria started to gain importance as a way to export the luxury goods manufactured in Almeria.[2]
Zuhayr’s ambitions would prove to be disastrous. Zuhayr allied with the Taifa of Grenada against Seville which allowed him to occupy the city of Cordoba in 1035, marking the height of Almerian expansion. However Zuhayr affronted his allies in Grenada by trying to seize complete control of the alliance. This action caused a revolt among his own troops, ultimately leading to his death in 1038. After Zuhayr’s death there was a power vacuum in Almeria which led to the occupation by the Valencian Emir, Abd al-'Azīz in 1038.[3]
Almeria once again underwent a period of growth during the reign of the young al-Mutasim. Although the kingdom was the smallest that it had ever been under al-Mutasim, it flourished economically and culturally.[citation needed] Almeria’s port was the key to its success during this time. The port served has a way to export goods from Almeria, but it also grew into the main port for all of Andalusia.[2] Al-Mutasim expanded the cultural significance of Almeria by assembling a court of many of the top muslim poets of the time.[5] Al-Mutasim also invested in the infrastructure of the city using funds generated from the port. He constructed public water fountains near the cities mosque and expanded the Alcazaba further.[citation needed]
List of kings
Slavic rulers
- 1012 Ibn Aflah.
- 1014 Khayran Al-‘Amiri. Slavic slave from Cordoba Caliph palace, who dedicated his rule to the development of Almería.
- 1028 Zuhayr Al-‘Amiri, also a former Slavic slave from Cordoba
- 1038 Abu Bakr al-Ramimi
- 1038 Abd al-Aziz al-Mansur, Valencia
From 1038 to 1041 Almería belonged to the Taifa of Valencia.
Banu Sumadih family
- 1041 Ma'n ben Muhammad ben Sumadih (Tujibi)
- 1051 Abu Yahyà Muhammad ben Ma'n, al-Mutasim
- Regency period of Abu 'Utba from 1052 to 1054 or 1055
- 1091 Ahmad ben Muhammad, Mu'izz al-Dawla (only from June to October or November 1091)
Symbols
The taifa of Almeria flag was the first
When Abu Asbag ibn Arqam, a poet from Guadix who served as vizier of King al-Mu'tasim of Almería,[5] saw the green and white flag on top of the Alcazaba of Almería, he wrote a poem which is regarded as the oldest written document describing a flag in Europe:[6]
The green flag spread over you the wing of bliss,
It made its wišāḥ of the white morning glow;
Its flutter makes it seem to be your foe's heart,
Whene'er the wind is striking it full;
It guarantees to you good luck in victory:
Watch the good omen which forebodes success!
(Note: wišāḥ is an ornamental belt)
See also
- History of Islam
- History of Spain
- List of Sunni Muslim dynasties
References
- ISBN 978-2-7451-1495-2.
- ^ S2CID 238220576.
- ^ a b Ramirez del Rio, Jose (2018). "Zuhayr al-'Amirí | Real Academia de la Historia". dbe.rah.es. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
- ProQuest 2612851580.
- ^ Ibn Sharaf, as a vizier.
- ISBN 978-0-520-01692-7.
External links