THE CALIPHATE OF CÓRDOBA.

TYPE OF MAP: This is an evolution map (because we can see different stages) and a political map of Spain in the period of the Caliphate of Córdoba (929-1031).

TITLE: Caliphate of Córdoba.

GEOGRAPHIC SPACE REPRESENTED: In this map, the period of the Caliphate of Córdoba is represented in Spain, where it was developed.

CHRONOLOGICAL PERIOD: The Caliphate developed from 929 to 1031.


DESCRIPTION: In the map, we can see Spain, in the period of the Caliphate of Córdoba, divided into three areas: in yellow, it's represented the territories under the caliphate of Abd-al Rahman III; in orange, we can see the Christian territories; and finally, both together represent the territories that were in dispute. The red arrows represent the military campaigns launched by Abd-al Rahman III and the green arrows represent the military campaigns launched by Al-Mansur. We can also see some sacks that took place in this period.

ANALYSIS: Abd-al Rahman III'S decision to proclaim himself caliph was related to the crisis in the Abbasid Caliphate and the appearance of another stronger power to Egypt, the Fatimid Caliphate. When Ramiro II (king of León) died, Córdoba could develope a policy of intervention, sending armies to plague the christian kingdoms. The influence of the Caliphate was so big that the Kingdoms of León and Navarre, the Counties of Castile and Barcelona paid a tax to the Caliphate. On the map, we can see some sacks. In 924, Abd-al Rahman III sacked Pamplona for the second time after defeating Sancho Garcés I, King of Navarre, who escaped. In 934, there was a sack in Osma (two years before, Abd-al Rahman III was defeated in the same place). In 939, Abd-al Rahman III suffered a defeat in the battle of Simancas by the Navarre people, ruled by García Sánchez I. In 985, the Moors were so powerful that they invaded Catalonia, and laid siege to Barcelona. In 987, Al-Mansur destroyed Coimbra (he rebuilt this city seven years later. Finally, in 997, Al-Mansur sacked Santiago de Compostela (it was one of the most important victories). Later, during the period of Abd-al-Rahman Sanchuelo, there was a period of fights and revolts because the members of the Ummayad royal family didn't accept him as succesor. He was killed later. The Caliphate was a splendorous period because it consolidated a centralized State and improved tax collection. Economic development contributed to the prosperity of Al-Andalus and Córdoba became the biggest city in Europe, and a rich cultural center.


CONCLUSION: This map is important to know about the Caliphate of Córdoba: the periods of Abd-al Rahman III and Al-Mansur. After the disintegration of the Caliphate, several Taifas kingdoms appeared. They considered themselves the heirs of the Caliphate and continued to have the figure of the Caliph as reference.