Cultural Achievements and Social Reality in The Umayyad Caliphate of Cordoba 929-1031
Graduation Date
Summer 2009
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Program Name
Humanities
First Reader
Martin Anderson, JD, PhD
Second Reader
Leslie Ross, PhD
Abstract
This thesis will focus on the history of al-Andalus (Modern Spain) beginning with the Muslim conquest in 711 and ending with the break up of the Umayyad caliphate in 1031. During this period, many scholars and commentators argue that there was a "Golden Age" of religious tolerance between Jews, Christians and Muslims. This supposed "Golden Age" was particularly evident in the tenth century under three succeeding rulers, Abd al- Rahman III (912-961), Al-Hakam (961-976) and Hisham II (976-1009). This thesis will show that while there is evidence of extraordinary contributions and developments within the fields of astronomy, mathematics, medicine, philosophy, art/architecture and poetry, during this period; these admirable achievements are not the result of an admirable society.