History of the Moorish Empire in Europe, Vol. 2 (of 3)Scott, S. P. (Samuel Parsons)
Islamic
History of the Moorish Empire in Europe, Vol. 2 (of 3)
Scott, S. P. (Samuel Parsons)
Arabs -- Europe -- History; Islamic civilization; Muslims -- Spain -- History; Spain -- History -- 711-1516
The experience of Abd-al-Mumen with treacherous vassals and daring
impostors made him reluctant to leave his capital, constantly exposed
to revolution, for the sake of confirming his power over the Moslem
states of Spain. And, indeed, there seemed to be but little necessity
for his personal appearance in Andalusia. In addition to the native
auxiliaries there were now fifty thousand Almohade veterans in that
country. His generals had demonstrated their ability for command on
many fields of battle. The principal cities of the South--Cordova,
Seville, Carmona, Granada, Malaga, Almeria, Badajoz--were garrisoned
by his troops. His armies had as yet sustained no repulse; the
most fertile districts furnished them with abundant subsistence; a
considerable tribute was collected from the Jews and Mozarabes, who
were compelled to pay liberally for privileges and protection which
they did not enjoy; Alfonso VII., the most redoubtable enemy of the
Moslems, had recently died, and the other Christian princes, doubtful
of their strength, hesitated to confront the victorious Almohade
squadrons. Although determined not to imperil his crown by a prolonged
absence from his capital, Abd-al-Mumen paid a visit to Gibraltar, which
he strongly fortified, and where he received the homage of the various
officials of his recently acquired dominions.
Almost simultaneously with the disappearance of the Almoravides a
new champion of Hispano-Arab independence arose in the east of the
Peninsula. Mohammed-Ibn-Saad, Prince of Valencia, attempted, but
without success, to oppose the authority of the hated Africans.
Routed before Granada, he organized another army in the Alpujarras
and, reinforced by a body of Christians from Toledo, again tried
the fortunes of war under the walls of Cordova. The bravery of the
Andalusians availed little in the presence of the invincible veterans
of Abd-al-Mumen. They were cut to pieces, and their leader, Ibn-Saad,
escaping with difficulty, fled to Murcia.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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