Taifa of Seville

Taifa of Seville طائفة إشبيليّة (Arabic) Reino Taifa de Sevilla (Spanish)
1023–1091
The Taifa of Seville at its greatest extent in green, c. 1080
Capital	Seville
Common languages	Arabic, Berber, Mozarabic, Hebrew
Religion	Islam, Roman Catholicism, Judaism
Government	Monarchy
Historical era	Middle Ages
• Downfall of Caliphate of Córdoba	1023
• Death of last king Al-Mu'tamid and defeat after Almoravid troops	1091
Currency	Dirham and Dinar
Preceded by Succeeded by Caliphate of Córdoba Almoravid dynasty
Today part of	Spain Portugal Gibraltar

Historical Arab states and dynasties
Ancient Arab states Kingdom of Qedar 800 BC–300 BC Kingdom of Lihyan 600 BC–100 BC Nabataean Kingdom 400 BC–106 AD Kingdom of Osroene 132 BC–244 AD Emesene Dynasty 64 BC–300s AD Kingdom of Hatra 100s–241 AD Tanukhids 196–1100 AD Ghassanids 220–638 AD Salihids 300s–500s AD Lakhmids 300s–602 AD Kingdom of Kinda 450 AD–550 AD
Arab empires and caliphates Rashidun 632–661 Umayyads 661–750 Abbasids 750–1258 Fatimids 909–1171
Eastern dynasties Emirate of Armenia 654–884 Emirate of Tbilisi 736–1122 Emirate of Crete 824–961 Dulafids 840–897 Habbarids 854–1011 Kaysites 860–964 Shirvanshah 861–1538 Alavids 864–928 Hamdanids 890–1004 Rawadids 955–1071 Mazyadids 961–1150 Jarrahids 970–1107 Uqaylids 990–1096 Numayrids 990–1081 Mirdasids 1024–1080 Munqidhites 1025–1157 Ma'nids 1517–1697 Turabays 1480–1677 Harfushs 1517–1865 Shihabs 1697–1842
Western dynasties and caliphates Salihids 710–1019 Umayyads of Córdoba 756–929 Muhallabids 771–793 Idrisids 788–974 Aghlabids 800–909 Sulaymanids 814–922 Emirate of Sicily 831–1091 Caliphate of Córdoba 929–1031 Kanzids 1004–1412 Bakrids 1012–1051 Tujibids 1013–1039 Amirids 1020–1086 Abbadids 1023–1091 Yahsubids 1023–1062 Hammudids 1026–1057 Muzaynids 1027–1063 Jawharids 1031–1091 Hudids 1039–1110 Sumadihids 1041–1091 Tahirids 1049–1078 Nasrids 1230–1492 Saadids 1554–1659 Senussids 1837–1969
Arabian Peninsula Imamate of Oman 751–1970 Ziyadids 819–1138 Yufirids 847–997 Ukhaidhirds 865–1066 Rassids 897–1962 Qarmatians 899–1077 Wajihids 926–965 Sharifate of Mecca 968–1925 Sulayhids 1047–1138 Sulaymanids 1063–1174 Uyunids 1076–1253 Zurayids 1083–1174 Nabhanids 1154–1624 Mahdids 1159–1174 Rasulids 1229–1454 Usfurids 1253–1320 Jarwanids 1305–1487 Kathirids 1395–1967 Tahirids 1454–1526 Jabrids 1463–1521 Qasimids 1597–1872 Ya'arubids 1624–1742 Upper Yafa 1800–1967 Muscat and Oman 1820–1970 Rashidids 1836–1921 Qu'aitids 1858–1967 Emirate of Beihan 1903–1967 Idrisids 1906–1934 Mutawakkilite Kingdom 1926–1970
East Africa Makhzumi dynasty (Shewa) 896–1279 Nabahani dynasty (Pate Island) 1203–1894 Mahdali dynasty (Kilwa) 1277–1495 Mazrui dynasty (Mombasa) 1746–1828 Sultanate of Zanzibar 1856–1964 Nabahani dynasty (Wituland) 1858–1895 Tippu Tip's State 1860–1887
Current monarchies 'Alawis (Morocco) 1631–present Al Qasimi (Ras al Khaymah) 1727–present Al Qasimi (Sharjah) 1727–present Al Saud (Saudi Arabia) 1744–present Al Said (Oman) 1749–present Al Sabah (Kuwait) 1752–present Al Nahyan (Abu Dhabi) 1761–present Al Mualla (Umm al-Quwain) 1775–present Al Khalifa (Bahrain) 1783–present Al Nuaimi (Ajman) 1810–present Al Maktoum (Dubai) 1833–present Al Thani (Qatar) 1868–present Al Sharqi (Fujairah) 1900–present Hashemites (Jordan) 1921–present
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The Taifa of Seville (Arabic: طائفة إشبيليّة Ta'ifat-u Ishbiliyyah) was an Arab^[1][2][3] kingdom which was ruled by the Abbadid dynasty. It was established in 1023 and lasted until 1091, in what is today southern Spain and Portugal. It gained independence from the Caliphate of Cordoba and it expanded the territory it ruled in the mid-11th century. The emerging power of Castile led Seville to ask military assistance from the Almoravids, who then occupied Seville.

History

The taifa (principality) began as a small, weakly-defended territory comprising parts of the modern Spanish provinces of Seville, Huelva, and Cádiz, but quickly emerged as the most powerful taifa of the time, after its rulers began a policy of expansion.^{[citation needed]}

The first emir of Seville was Abu al-Qasim (1023–1042). He was qadi of Seville and declared independence from the Caliphate of Córdoba after its downfall in 1031, becoming Abbad I, emir of Seville. His son, Abbad II al-Mu'tadid (1042–1069) who succeeded him, expanded the taifa by conquering Mertola, Niebla, Saltés and Huelva, Silves, Santa María de Algarve during his reign.^[4]

His son, Muhammad al-Mu'tamid (1069–1091), turned Seville into a major centre of Ibero-Muslim culture. He seized Córdoba in 1071,^[5] and maintained a precarious hold on the city until 1091 (with a brief interlude in 1075–1078). While his vizier and fellow poet Ibn Ammar, conquered Murcia.^[4]

During al-Mutamid’s reign, Seville began paying parias, or tribute, to King Alfonso VI of Castile. After crucifying Alfonso VI’s envoy, Ibn Shalib, when the official rejected the coins given in tribute because they were debased and the gold because they weren’t minted, al-Mutamid requested assistance from the Almoravids in 1082.^[6] Al-Mutamid is noted of saying “Better to be a camel-driver for the Almoravids than a swineherd for Alfonso”.^[7] The Abbad dynasty felt insecure from Castile's military successes in Aragon, Valencia, and especially from the fall of Toledo in 1085 under the leadership of King Alfonso VI. In 1085, the Taifa of Seville was attacked by Christian mercenaries who passed over the Taifa of Granada leading to the taifa being weakened by the time the Almoravids arrived.^[8] The Almoravids established themselves at Algeciras, and after allying with the taifas of Seville, Granada, and Almeria, and with al-Mutamid bravely leading the al-Andalusan forces, they defeated the Christians at the Battle of Sagrajas in 1086, occupied the other Muslim taifas, including Seville itself in 1091. Following this, the Almoravids would go on to occupy and control vast swathes of present-day Spain.^[4] After they ravaged the city, al-Mu'tamid ordered his sons to surrender the royal fortress (the location of the present-day Alcázar of Seville)^[9] in order to save their lives. He was taken prisoner to Aghmat, where he was executed in 1095.^{[citation needed]}

Besides the intrigues and the eagerness for conquests of the kings, many artists of the time moved to the court of Seville, as the Almería poet Ibn al-Abbâr and Abû 'Âmir ibn Maslama had done. Abû'l-Walîd al-Himyarî made a compilation of literary works of both of them.^{[citation needed]}

Culture

Like the other taifas in the 11^th century, the Taifa of Seville was a Muslim-majority territory. It did have Christians and Jewish inhabitants, although they were often treated as secondary to Muslims.^{[10][non-primary source needed]} Christian inhabitants of al-Andalus who adopted Arabic culture were called Mozarab Christians, "Mozarab" being a corruption of the Arabic must'arab which meant "Arabized". Antisemitism certainly existed, but compared to their Christian neighbors to the north, the taifas was far more tolerant.^[11] Jews were known to attain high governmental positions, like how the taifas of Granada and Seville both went to war under Jewish prime ministers.^[12]

Toledan judge and historian of science Said ibn Said labelled the taifa of Seville as the “kingdom of poetry”. Seville’s poetry largely focused on wine and eroticism, with poets performing for their king being given the opportunity to earn riches and land. ^[13] Seville’s rulers were strong proponents of the arts and sciences. Al-Mutadid hosted acclaimed Andalusian poet Ibn Zaydun^[14] and al-Mutamid, the final ruler of the taifa of Seville, is noted as a skilled poet himself.^[15] Most of Al-Mutadid's poetry had to do with conquests, while his son, al-Mutamid's famous poetry was noted to be sentimental and romantic even when describing events like the conquest of Córdoba.

Córdoba was a center of scholarship when the Umayyad Caliphate was in control of al-Andalus. Seville’s annexation of Córdoba in 1058 and academics fleeing from Toledo after Alfonso VI’s conquest of it in 1085, led to it having the reputation of being the pinnacle of al-Andalusian culture.^[16] A miriad of scientists are noted to of lived in Seville, like astronomer al-Zarqullah who created an improved astrolabe, and Ibn Bassal, an agronomist who tended to the royal gardens.^[17]

The city used to produce a variety of lusterware from the latter half of the 11th century. Several pieces of lusterware was found from the Ebro valley which indicated decorations found similar to ceramics made in the Taifa of Seville. These ceramics bear inscriptions to two Abbadid princes of Seville, who are identified by their proper names and titles. These production centers were operated under the authority of the Abbadid princes over several decades during the late 11th century.^[18]Among the products produced would have been glazed polychrome food serving vessels, such as bowls, platters, and pitchers. These would have been a staple of Islamic communal food service and hospitality for residents of Seville.^[19]

Relations with Christian Kingdoms

The taifa of Seville was one of many taifas to pay parias, a tribute, to Christian kingdoms for protection and military support.^[20] Taifa armies’ sizes when recorded were often small and so they relied on paying mercenaries and other Christian kings to support their military efforts.^[21] This often increasing tribute led to the increase of taxation on Seville’s population, leading to al- Mutamid to be less popular and face revolts towards the end of his reign from cities unhappy with their money going to Christian kings. These notions likely were an advantage to the Almoravids when they moved in to annex the taifa of Seville.^[22] Along with monetary contributions, al-Mutamid would assist Alfonso VI by turning over his brother, Garcia, who was taking refuge in Seville. In exchange, al-Mutamid had access to Alfonso VI’s knights in his war against the taifa of Granada, one of Seville’s greatest enemies.^[23] This alliance would not be strong, as al-Mutamid would fight against Alfonso VI with the Almoravids in the battle of Zallaqah and later bargain for his support by offering his daughter in law to the Christian king in a marriage pact when the Yusuf ibn Tashfin moved to conquer the taifa.^[24]

Taifas during the 11^th century were known to have Christians and Muslims fight alongside each other, as would the Christian kingdoms to their north. Seville was no exception to this policy, relying on Christian mercenaries to bolster their forces. After the united Muslim Almoravids invaded al-Andalus, this occurrence would become less frequent.^[25]

Legacy

While historians in the mid 20^th century have painted a picture that the taifas, including Seville, were merely barbarians,^[1] modern historians have explained how they were geopolitically placed into positions where they had to be ruthlessly pragmatic to survive. Similar to the other taifas of the 11th century, the taifa of Seville saw a massive increase of sophisticated culture alongside a continuing degradation as a political entity.^[2] This taifa is an example of how the taifa kings would maneuver to unite Al-Andalus under their own banner, but the infighting between the taifa kings would lead to their territories becoming unsustainable by 1085.^[3] The end of the taifa of Seville by the Almoravids would be a cause to identify by religion more than by region for Muslims and Christians, since the unpolarized state in between the Berbers and Christians was gone.^[26]

See also

• Al-Andalus
• History of Islam
• History of Spain
• List of Sunni Muslim dynasties

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Taifa of Seville.