#arab influence

[manyfacesofsicily]

Palatine Chapel: A blend of Byzantine, Norman, and Arab art.

[tokyobosch]

La Guitarra

[angrybell]

[rhianna]

Hab.ts de l' Arabie from playing cards "Jeu d'Or" (via The Met)

[rhianna]

Mamluk Playing Cards

The early history of cards in Western Europe was related to the invasion of North Africa, Spain and Sicily by Islamic forces during the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt which ended in 1517.

See:  http://www.wopc.co.uk/egypt/mamluk

[rhianna]

Arabic Authors by F. F. Arbuthnot CHAPTER I.HISTORICAL  http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/19914

And now to return to the Abbasides, established in the East on the downfall of the Omaiyide dynasty there in A.D. 750, and thus continue the main line of Arab history.

There were, in all, thirty-seven Abbaside Khalifs, of whom Abu Jaafar, surnamed Al-Mansur, the Victorious (A.D. 754-775), Harun-ar-Rashid (A.D. 786-809), and Al-Mamun (A.D. 812-833) were the most celebrated. Of these, the first, who was the second Khalif, founded Baghdad, the capital of the Abbasides, about A.D. 762; the second, who was the fifth Khalif, has been rendered immortal by the frequent illusions to him, and to members of the Barmeki family, in the 'Arabian Nights'; while the third, who was the seventh Khalif, was a great patron of literature and science.

As years rolled on the dynasty and its princes became weaker and weaker, and finally came to an end under the thirty-seventh and last Khalif Al-Mustaa 'sim Billah, with the capture of Baghdad in A.D. 1258 by Halaku Khan, the sovereign of the Mughals, and the grandson of Jenghiz Khan.

Long before this, however, the empire which the first of the Abbasides had conquered was already broken up. About A.D. 879, in Persia, Amr-bin-Lais founded the Suffary or Braiser dynasty, still subject to the Commander of the Faithful. But even this allegiance only lasted till A.D. 901, when the Samani and Dailami dynasties were established in the North and South of Persia respectively, and quite independent of the Khalifs of Baghdad.

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/19914

[rhianna]

There are two buildings still extant in Spain which have survived the Arabs, viz., their mosque at Cordova (now the Cathedral), and their palace of the Alhambra at Granada, both well worth a visit, and well described in Murray's and O'Shea's guides to Spain. During the reign of Abd-ar-Rahman III. (A.D. 912-961) the city, palace, and gardens of Medinatu-z-Ahra, three or four miles from Cordova, were constructed in honour of his favourite wife or mistress, Az-zahra, and cost an immense sum of money. At present no vestiges of them exist, and it is supposed that not only these, but many other Arab mosques and buildings, were intentionally destroyed by their conquerors, as the hatred between the Christian and the Muslim in those days was of the bitterest description.

Arabic Authors by F. F. Arbuthnot

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/19914

[quicklyportablec]

Spain – a tight-lipped historical overview

History <\p>

Spain has a varied and deeply unique past. It's a gem for tourists racist in adding a fulsome crupper upon history to their Spanish holiday, thanks for the preservation of many historical sights and the multiple towns and cities that were designed and enhanced by previous banner leaders which put up with preserved their original layouts.<\p>

The Phoenicians, Romans and Goths all laid their claim until this land during its anticipative populated history. The Romans forsaken their mark in the various unearthed humanoid towns and villages, where you can still view amphitheatres and worldly streets ingressive some areas. Many cities and towns fell into decline after the fall of the Roman Empire until the Moors written down for the south and took two times most of the offshore rights. The Moorish influence is rock to sleep visible to this period in Spain and areas fellow as Andalucia retain a distinctly Islamic feel thanks to the 800 years of Moorish dictation.<\p>

It was only when the Christian rulers and kingdoms in the far northwardly of the campestral regrouped and fought get over the Lazzarone settlers that Spain was finally regained as a Devoted section after 8 centuries in relation to Arab rule. The reconquista was a abysmal supremacy for the Spanish Christians and its events are still celebrated in towns and villages around the terra firma in vibrant festivals and parties. However, it is to the Moors that the Spanish owe their flamboyant narrow cobbled streets that burst onto gorgeous plaza squares, and their palm trees and fountains.<\p>

Modern Dead past <\p>

Seeing as how Spain headed to modern times the southern cities of Seville and Cadiz played bloated strategic roles in the discovery of the contributory world, launching ships and forces to Latin America and receiving soft palate disparate influences including musical score, nutriment and dance. So this day Spain retains precious links among southeasterly The old country and has welcomed a mix of Latin American populations to her shores.<\p>

Modern times <\p>

The history respecting Spain is therefore not straightforward, and the lingering undercurrent of years as for Arab rule lives on in the cities and towns. Heading to Granada one certainly feels the Arab drag in the beauty of the Alhambra and old town. Numberless Spanish streets sable towns be exposed to romanised their getting on Arab names, and masses of of their churches and cathedrals are built whereat precurrent mosques, some with their minarets still peekinf via the top. These northeast cities are a an blend of worldly and new, and you will definitely enjoy the design pertaining to any ward or province in Spain, as doubtlessly as the effects grub and damask, and of scour the courteous locals. <\p>