THE GOLDEN AGE

The golden age, 1000 -1100 AD, of al-Andalus was centered around its capital, or Cordoba. The political, economic, socio-cultural, and technological aspects of it greatly added to its growing fame and prosperity.

The golden age of Cordoba might have been a good time for the people, but it was not a very good time to be a political leader. Abd al -Rahman III , the leader of the time, had to put down many revolts from other factions and groups. At the same time, he had to fight off the Christian forces at the northern border. This is a little similar to what is happening today in Iraq. In the country, there are groups that are fighting against each other and we, the US., are on the border. Other than that, I don't think our time period has much in common with the political aspects of the golden age of al-Andalus and Cordoba. Although most of the political aspects of the golden age of al-Andalus were hard, it was a great time for the people.

During the Golden Age, Cordoba had a very prosperous economy. The goods made in Cordoba were traded with goods from all kinds of places including Europe and India. The farmland was fertile and the farming flourished. Over 4.000 marketplaces were scattered all over the city. This does not have much in common with the state the economy of the United States is in. In spite of the economy, the number of marketplaces in Cordoba can be compared with the hundreds of thousands in the country. Our trading with countries all over the world might be comparable with Cordoba trading with different empires and regions, after all they were trading with everyone in the known world then. The golden age of Cordoba had a very prosperous economy.

Culture flourished during the golden age of Cordoba. There were many religious philosophers contemplating one thing or another. Cordoba was famous for its religious acceptance. This factor brought many Jewish people to the city, because in other places, they did not have the freedom of religion. The city was also famous because it had over 100 libraries with thousands of books written in many languages. The amount of libraries and books in Cordoba cannot be compared to any one city that I know of. The United Stated of America was founded by people wanting to practice their own religion and not get persecuted for it so , like Cordoba, we naturally have the freedom of religion. And so, Cordoba was a very cultural city during the Golden Age.

Last but not least, the technology and the advances in it were very great at the time. Many scholars were inventing and making new gadgets and machines. The breakthroughs made in the city were astounding. Today, people ate still innovating and inventing fabulous things, just like in the age of Cordoba. We have many people teaching, learning and and researching the many fields of technology.In conclusion, Cordoba was a great technological center during the 1000-1100s.

Safe and Sound

History Short Essay Question
Safe and Sound

Imagine the citizens of al- Andalus running about in Cordoba, safe and sound, trading, communicating, and learning with others. This is the golden age of Cordoba. At the time of its highest peak, Cordoba flourished in politics, economy, social culture, and technology. Because of its powerful period, the citizens were carefree and at peace.

The citizens of Cordoba didn’t have to worry about lack of civilization or power. This was because of its politics. The government always had a standing army with few mercenaries to fight, just in case there were opposing groups that invaded. A standing army is an army that is maintained in times of peace and war. Having the kind of government with this kind of army contributed to the golden age because it gave tranquility to the citizens, for they didn’t have to risk being conquered. Also, in times where a powerful faction commenced war, Cordoba was always prepared and organized for battle. This relates to modern day because the United States has a standing army like al- Andalus, ready to fight off invaders. This aspect of politics helped Cordoba become a safe city in their time of golden age.
A safe city is a happy city. But what if it was rich, too? Cordoba also grew in its economy during the golden age. They had many irrigation systems to provide for water, which made agriculture common for those in al- Andalus. The citizens often traded foods with others, and it made them wealthier. They also traded goods such as silk and leather with each other because Cordoba produced many of these things. It was important to be wealthy then, for it made life simpler. They didn’t worry about depressions or lack of money. This relates to today because the United States is wealthier than all the other countries of the world, and it makes others want to move to there. But now, it is easy to understand that because the U.S. relies on too much money, it is falling apart. This shows that although money was good for Cordoba, since wealth made Cordoba a very famous city, it was not the main part of the golden age for al- Andalus. But, Cordoba’s economy still helped greatly in their highest period.
The citizens of Cordoba had different ways of living as well as similar. This was due to their social culture. Many scholars came to Cordoba to study, bringing knowledge of other cultures with them. It made Cordoba vary in culture because everyone had a different life to live. With contrasting ways of living, Cordoba was a very interesting city. Also, the citizens had things in common because Cordoba had many public baths. They related there, since there were many hours of communicating at public baths. This is like modern times because many people gather at places such as shopping centers and business meetings to communicate and share culture. Sections of Cordoba did one thing, and other sections did another thing. Every difference and similarity was an element to Cordoba’s culture. Cordoba’s social culture was a great part to its golden age.
Lastly, the citizens were abundant in knowledge. They flourished in technology, an important source of power. Many Muslim scholars added to the study of other mathematicians, or began new researches. They created accurate maps and calendars. Other scholars also made books on medical philosophy. They wrote about doctor- patient relationships. Technological awareness in Cordoba was important to the citizens’ everyday lives. It helped them know vital things such as dates and locations. It is similar to today, because many countries keep learning new things by the discoveries of historical scholars. Also, modern humans write about relationships and how to treat others and yourself, which is in the subject of philosophy. These contributions to knowledge were important to Cordoba’s golden age.

Thanks for readingg as if anyone readit at all

-SunnyKim<3

The Golden Age of al-Andulus and Cordoba

This is a picture of the House of Wisdom.









Although Abd al- Rahman III was the last survivor of the Umayyad family, he made a political difference and also built a standing army. Umayyad loyalists joined Abd al-Rahman III and helped his army and the government gain strength and power. In my opinion, the Umayyad loyalists were like tons of customers going to a store like Walmart or Target. When a lot of the customers go to a store, it will become popular(strong). Also, the store will gain money(power). Even thought Abd al-Rahman III died, al-Andulus was still a united government.

In al-Andulus, cordoba was a prosperous city and a major trade center. In the trade center, basically everything was sold there. Even merchants and poeple from half a world away came to sell their goods. I thought that the major trade center in Cordoba was like the Farmer's market. both the Farmer's market and the trade center both sell goods and can buy with money. However, the major trade center in Cordoba can trade one's goods for another. The prosperous city was partially why the Golden Age happened.

There was a great cultural center in al-Andulus. books from other countries were translated into Arabic language by Muslim Scholars. This huge learning center was called the House of Wisdom. The House of Wisdom and the Cerritos Library are both similar in many ways. First of all, they are both libraries and have books of different genres. Also, foreign languaged books in the Cerritos Library are soetimes translated into English. There are also morals and lessons at the end of the book. The House of Wisdom is a great learning and cultural city.

There were many technological advances and environmental parts of Cordoba. The roads were paved, and lamps were lit out on the street. Not only that, but although the climate is a desert, there were beautiful public gardens that were put next to fountains. Last but definitely not the least, there were advances in water like irrigation canals. As they improved irrigation, the land would become more fertilized and a variety of plants, vegetables, and fruits would grow. These are similar to the city of Cerritos. In Cerritos, there are paved roads and street lights. Also, Cerritos has a desert climate not exactly the same as Cordoba but similar that have beautiful plants growing. These environmental and technological traits helped with the advancement of the Golden Age in Cordoba.

The Golden Age of al-Andalus

Al-Andalus had begun its empire within the region of Spain, with a bureaucratic system of departments and agencies, carrying out the work of the central government, mainly from the orders of the caliph. As al-Andalus gradually increased in its land size throughout the Iberian Peninsula, there had to be a force in control, in times of peace and war, so they created a standing army. Additionally, they also formed a conquest army, which was consisted of foreign mercenaries and citizens of al-Andalus. Even now, for example, many countries also have standing armies, such as the United States, which is used in the same general idea of the Muslims had their standing army. Ideally, a similar system of bureaucracy is input into the government of the United Stated, in which that the United States uses these departments and agencies to carry and work out government operations and announcements. Though al-Andalus had based their government by the Muslim religion, they still used clever systems to compromise political issues.

With a prosperous economic center, they had exchanged trades with many different peoples with goods such as silk and glass, and foods, such as rice and peaches. Their wealthy city of Cordoba , al-Andalus's capital, had many people from many parts of the world to come buy their goods. Eager to outshine their rivals, they openly advertised themselves and freely welcomed others to come to make trade, in hope of having a greater chance to have more prosperity in their trade. In these modern days, the world has much more trading goods and merchandises that people make with the current technology, toys, delicacies, weapons, and now varied to much more than it had used to be, numbering of commons and uncommons. Countries presently battle to score a better system of trade and a wealthier economy to tower over others. As al-Andalus advanced in trade, they also became much more wealthy in the economic system.

Because of their open welcoming of many peoples, it led to a diverse variety within the culture of al-Andalus's society. From many places, scholars had come to add to the numerous books that the libraries within al-Andalus contained. Many books of philosophy, from famous philosophers like Plato and Aristotle, were translated to Arabic from languages of all kinds, such as Greek or Latin. Of many subjects these books held, there were as many as 70 libraries, the largest one holding just 400,000 books. Through word of it, it had made Cordoba crowded with eager scholars to learn and observe of the ranges of different cultures, taken in through books. Nowadays, the United States greets people of any physical and cultural difference, and so there is an intertwine of many cultures within the United States. In this combination of people, written documents and stories are composed to arouse interests to people of the society. As theory and the discoveries of new information grows, new cultural thoughts are analyzed and concluded by thought.

Advancements of technology in the empire of al-Andalus were used to help themselves and trade. Written resources were made to assist doctors in training, created by Muslim doctors, and began to be used widely for many years that came. Great observances of the sky, its objects, and their movements, gave scholars a chance to make theoretical interpretations and experiments that helped improved their ways of thinking. Taking math into astronomy, it also came to help make accurate calendars. Some of their thoughts of technology has given a larger variety of ideas and plans to work out different scientific theories and conclusions. Early uses of observatories in al-Andalus has helped bring the ideas of more sophisticated constructions of astrological observatories. With many encyclopedias and documents from al-Andalus, people have learned much more about their culture and way of thinking, along with different interpretations.

Golden Age...Al-Andalus...Muslims...Spain O.o

Let's take a look back into the golden age of Al-Andalus and the political aspects. The Abbasids killed all the Ummayads. Nope, that's wrong one man survived. That man is Abd Al-Rahman. Abd Al-Rahman was determined to keep the Ummayad legacy going. 125 years later Abd al-Rahman III was determined also. Wow, that's amazing that Abd al-Rahman survived the "Abbassid massacre." The Abbasids nearly wiped out the Ummayads, too bad for them their job wasn't finished. The Ummayads and the people loyal to them, would've been proud of Abd Al-Rahman for saving the Ummayad rule.

Cordoba had a prosperous economy. In Cordoba farming flourished and many crops would be sold. Cordoba also held workshops that produced silk, cloth, and much more. People from other countries would come to buy these products. Lucky for Cordoba their economy wasn't like ours right now. In the USA our economy jas gone downhill. Our country is facing money problems. I sure wish that we can prosper as Cordoba did.

Cordoba was a major cultural and learning center. By the late 900s the city already had 70 libraries. One of those contained over 400,000 books. In some libraries there were only 100 manuscripts! The people of Al-Andalus had a great oppurtunity to learn. Many people would come to Cordoba, this brought different cultures and new ideas together. 400,000 books; there was probably A LOT of reading going on. People could've been jealous, the people in Al-Andalus had so many books. Wow, I couldn't read that many books.

The ancients has taught us a lot of things. The Arabs have given us soap and perfume. Al-Zahrawi helped our doctors. Al-Zahrawi made surgical instruments. Surgical instruments, that's a great development in the medicine area. Surgery will be easier now. What would we do without our ancients? If the Arabs didn't invent soap we'd stink. We wouldn't be clean and it would really smell. I think some surgeons and scholars should give Al-Zahrawi a thank-you.

A Golden Age in the West

There are a lot of things from the P.E.S.T. analysis that contributed greatly to the golden age for al-Andalus. During the 1000's and 1100's, the things for political, economic, socio-cultural, and technology began to develop.

Jews had a very hard time when they lived in Spain during Roman times. They often faced persecution. They were welcome however under the Umayyads. Some of the Jews were even in high government offices. For example, one served as a minister to a Muslim leader. This is a good turning point in life because there's a chance of peace and to treat people the same. Jews felt rejected and unwelcomed. However, when they felt what it was like under the Umayyads, they were surprised to be welcomed. This can relate to us because if the Jews were treated badly the whole time, people would not have had the chance to be treated nicely. This is important because the Umayyads started the freedom of the Jews.

In Cordoba, there were lots of workshops and were in demand throughout Europe. Merchants carried goods all the way to Central Asia and India. During this, farming flourished. Farmers sold products at more than 4,000 markets. They probably traveled a lot and would be tired if they sold products at 4,000 markets. They produced a lot. The farmers had lots of foods and most people needed them. It is good that they sold those products because it can help people. It can relate to us now because the products that the farmers sold are still out in markets right now.

Spanish-Jews flourished. A Spanish-Jewish culture with its own language which is Ladino developed. One of the Jews helped a caliph to negotiate peace treaties with Christian Kingdoms. Jews who faced persecution in Christian lands flocked to al-Andalus to enjoy the freedom. They contributed greatly to the golden age. It is good because there's a place where Jews can go to when people are treating them badly. Jews finally felt what it was like to be free. It is like right now when most people have their freedom.

Scholars made great contribution to the study of mathematics, astronomy, geography, medicine, and philosophy. Scholars of al-Andalus built on or extended the work of early mathematicians. Scholars built precision instruments for viewing the skies. Some wrote about doctor-patient relationships. This helped doctors understand the patients' reactions and feelings. Other medical scholars wrote about ways to treat diseases. People who helped with the achievements must have been working hard all the time. A lot of people invented things on mathematics, astronomy, geography, medicine, and philosophy that were really important. This can relate to us because all of the people us math, astronomy, geography, medicine, and philosophy.

The 1000's and 1100's were a golden age for al-Andalus because Jews had a chance for freedom. Farming flourished, Spanish-Jews thrived, and scholars made great contribution to the golden age. Scholars built things that most people can use now. This all contributed to the golden age for al-Andalus, and it happened during the 1000's through the 1100's.

-Michelle

my answers

The Cordoba government consisted of much kind of religions. Not all the offices were Muslims. There were Jews who were in the office. One Jew held a high power in Cordoba’s government and helped the empire. It was a good idea to have different religions serves in the empire. At that time Christians and Jews were the “talented people”. Many people have different kinds of ideas, so since the Jews were in the government, they probably helped the empire a lot. It is similar to today, because we have different kind of races and religions in our government. All in all, Cordoba’s government was efficient, due to the variety of religions.

Cordoba traded with many people outside the Empire. Their traded helped them grow and prosper. Cordoba got a lot of money/trade through the trade. Since Cordoba got lots of trade, it could feed many people, and support them. Trading is good, since people need the money to support themselves. Cordoba’s merchants probably grew a relationship with the people they traded with. In America, when someone trades item, they traded item, the start growing a relationship with that person. Trading helps the empire grow and prosper, while supporting the people.

Cordoba wasn’t like the Romans, by not doing many harsh things to the people. Jews were welcomed in Cordoba, not rejected. Roman persecuted the Jews, instead of treating them like nobles. It was good for Cordoba to not persecute the Jews, because they were important to the government. When a person kills someone, you immediately get a horrible impression of that person. Apparently Cordoba treated them like nobles; the neighboring countries probably had a good impression. In America, we don’t kill the people for who they are. The empire of Cordoba made a good impression and did the right thing by not killing the Jews.

Cordoba made many things that would benefit the past, present, and future. Cordoba made a calendar, which is really accurate. They used astronomy, mathematics to help them in this situation. It was impressive for Cordoba to make the calendar because it benefited us. The U.S. makes a lot of new things that benefited us too. For example, we created the ipod, which was really cool, since now we could do extra stuff while doing other things, which is called multi-tasking. Cordoba really helped our society by making an important technology.