THE MOORS, who settled in & ruled Northern Africa and invaded and conquered many parts of what we would now consider “Southern Europe (Spain, Portugal, France & Southern Italy-ala Sicily)” for nearly 800 years, from as early as the 7th to the 15th century. Their profound, cultural legacy, influence & what they left behind is evident on modern day spanish architecture, art, music and traditions. The Moors played a significant role during the shaping of prehistory in their early settlement. In 711 AD, a tribe of newly converted Muslims from North Africa crossed the straits of Gibraltar and invaded Spain. Known as The Moors, they went on to build a rich and powerful society. Its capital, Cordoba, was the largest and most civilised city in Europe, with hospitals, libraries and a public infrastructure light year ahead of anything in England at the time. Amongst the many things that were introduced to Europe by Muslims at this time were: a huge body of classical Greek texts that had been lost to the rest of Europe for centuries (kick-starting the Renaissance); mathematics and the numbers we use today; advanced astronomy and medical practices; fine dining; the concept of romantic love; paper; deodorant; and even erection creams. This wasnt the rigid, fundamentalist Islam of some peoples imaginations, but a progressive, sensuous and intellectually curious culture. But when the society collapsed, Spain was fanatically re-Christianised; almost every trace of seven centuries of Islamic rule was ruthlessly removed. It is only now, six centuries later, that The Moors influences on European life and culture are finally beginning to be fully understood. The Decline of Moorish Power In Spain - Part 6 This presentation by Dr. Jose Pimienta-Bey is a fantastic account of who the Moors were, how they gained power in the Iberian Pennisula today know as Spain and Portugal and even more importantly, how they lost power. Many of us dont know that African (Moors) along with Arabs, ruled Spain from 711 A.D. https://youtube/watch?v=PyoqmDRJ8Ys The Decline of Moorish Power In Spain - Part 7 This presentation by Dr. Jose Pimienta-Bey is a fantastic account of who the Moors were, how they gained power in the Iberian Pennisula today know as Spain and Portugal and even more importantly, how they lost power. Many of us dont know that African (Moors) along with Arabs, ruled Spain from 711 A.D.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Nov 2014 20:35:57 +0000
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