Definitions
A map that was drawn by the Arab geographer Al-Idrisi and was commissioned by King Roger II.
Tabula Rogeriana
What are Taifas?
A kind of small kingdom in which Al Andalusia was divided after Cordoba Caliphate.
Juderías
Jewish Quarters - the part of the city where all Jewish people lived in.
A kind of decoration used by the Almohads in the Giralda de Sevilla.
Sebka
Why was Abulcasis important for the medical field?
He introduced important surgical techniques and invented of new surgical tools. Some of his discoveries and surgical instruments are still used in medicine today.
A Muslim court official that helps the Caliph.
Hajib
What is a Vizier?
The minister of the Caliph.
Sinagoga
Synagogue - A Jewish religious building.
Part of a Muslim city where people sell and buy products.
Souk
Who is Abbás Firnás and why are a crater on the Moon, an airport in Iraq, and a bridge in Cordoba named after him?
He was an important inventor, astronomer, physicist, chemist, mathematician engineer, Andalusi musician, and Arabic-language poet.
He is best known for experimenting with different forms of flight.
Rapid and surprise attacks of Almanzor against some Christian cities.
Razzias
What is the Quibla? What is in its center?
A wall in the mosque that is facing the Mecca. Muslims must pray looking at the quibla. In the center of the Quibla is the Mihrab which is where the Quran is kept.
Emirato
Emirate - A medieval islamic kingdom that is politically independent or is not from a Caliphate.
A communal or public bathhouse.
Hamman
What is the Collar de la Paloma and why is it important?
It is a book written in Arabic that is about love and is the first book written about love.
An Arab Andalusian physician, surgeon, and chemist. Considered to be the greatest surgeon of the Middles Ages.
Abulcasis
What are Muladíes?
A person living in Al-Andalus converted from Christianity to Islam.
Califa
Caliph - The person that rules a Caliphate and has political and religious power.
A tower in a mosque from where all Muslims are called to pray.
Minaret
What was a tiraz a symbol of and why were they special?
They were a symbol of power and their creation was strictly regulated since they were only given to special people who were loyal to the Caliph. They were so valuable that christians, priest, and bishops used to wear them.
An amount of money that a kingdom pays to another kingdom in order to not be attacked.
Parias
What is a tiraz?
A medieval Islamic embroidery that is given as a gift for the Caliph to special people for their loyalty.
Mozárabes
Mozarads - Spanish Christians who were living in Al-Andalus.
A storage building in muslim cities, similar to a warehouse.
Alhóndigas
What is special about the Tabula Rogeriana?
It was created upside down and is a combination of 70 maps of the known word that has descriptions of each specific location.