Almohad Caliphate: Map & History
The Almohad Caliphate or Almohad Empire was a North African Muslim empire ruled by a Berber dynasty from 1130 to 1269, which at its height controlled much of the Maghreb and the Iberian Peninsula (Al-Andalus).
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The Almohad Caliphate or Almohad Empire was a North African Muslim empire ruled by a Berber dynasty from 1130 to 1269, which at its height controlled much of the Maghreb and the Iberian Peninsula (Al-Andalus). The Spanish name "Almohads" derives from the Arabic al-Muwaḥḥidūn, "those who espouse Oneness", reflecting the dynasty's emphasis on divine unity and its protest against what it regarded as the lax character of prevailing Islam, particularly under the Almoravids.
Modern Countries Once Part of Almohad Caliphate
At its mapped extent, Almohad Caliphate covered territory in 6 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
- Morocco1139–1343 CE · most
- Tunisia1169–1235 CE · most
- Algeria1139–1235 CE · a large part
- Spain1147–1249 CE · a large part
- Portugal1147–1240 CE · a small part
- Libya1169–1235 CE · a small part
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Almohad Caliphate's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Almohad Caliphate in Depth
History
The Almohad movement originated with Ibn Tumart, a member of the Masmuda, an Amazigh tribal confederation of the Atlas Mountains of southern Morocco. At the time, present-day Morocco, Mauritania, western Algeria and parts of Spain and Portugal (al-Andalus) were under the rule of the Almoravids, a Sanhaja Berber dynasty. Early in his life, Ibn Tumart went to Spain to pursue his studies, and thereafter to Baghdad to deepen them. In Baghdad, Ibn Tumart attached himself to the theological school of al-Ash'ari, and came under the influence of the teacher al-Ghazali. He soon developed his own system, combining the doctrines of various masters.
Military
The Almohad army was made up of Berber tribesmen who were organised in a tribal hierarchy reflecting their status in the Almohad movement. The Almohad army was reliant on tribal structures for mobilisation purposes. Tribal shaykhs functioned as de facto military commanders for their men and Abd al-Mumin would consult them on matters of military policy. The most important Almohad shaykhs would lead military campaigns and many were appointed as military governors. These shaykhs formed the politico-military elite of the empire. The Almohad army was supplemented with Arab auxiliaries coming from the Banu Hilal who migrated into the Maghreb in the 12th century.
Culture
The use of Berber languages, particularly as spoken by the Masmuda, was important in Almohad doctrine. According to Mehdi Ghouirgate, "the most substantial Berber sources relating to the medieval period are linked to Tashelhit, both from the point of view of lexicon and morphology."
Under the Almohads, the khuṭba (sermon) at Friday prayer was made to be delivered in Arabic and Berber, with the latter referred to as al-lisān al-gharbī (Arabic: اللسان الغربي, lit. 'the western tongue') by the Andalusi historian Ibn Ṣāḥib aṣ-Ṣalāt. For example, the khaṭīb, or sermon-giver, of al-Qarawiyyīn Mosque in Fez, Mahdī ibn 'Īsā, was replaced under the Almohads by Abū l-Ḥasan ibn 'Aṭiyya because he was fluent in Berber.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Almohad Caliphate (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Almohad Caliphate: Key Facts
| Capitals | Tinmel, Marrakech |
|---|---|
| Official language | Arabic |
| Religions | Islam, Sunni Islam |
| Form of government | monarchy, caliphate |
| Currencies | Almohad dinar, gold dinar |
| Founded | 1121 |
| Dissolved | 1269 |
Preceded by
- Almoravid dynasty
- Fatimid Caliphate
- Hammadid dynasty
- Taifa of Mértola
Succeeded by
Facts from Wikidata Q199688 (CC0).
Almohad Caliphate Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Almohad Caliphate appears, with the other states of the time.
Almohad Caliphate Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 949,022 km² in 1210 CE.
Almohad Caliphate: Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Almohad Caliphate exist?
The Almohad Caliphate is dated to 1139 CE – 1343 CE, in the High & Late Middle Ages era.
What was the capital of the Almohad Caliphate?
The capital of the Almohad Caliphate was Tinmel.
How large was the Almohad Caliphate at its peak?
At its peak in 1210 AD the Almohad Caliphate covered about 949,022 km².
How did the map of the Almohad Caliphate change over time?
The Almohad Caliphate appears on 2 dated world maps in the atlas, from 1200 CE to 1300 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.
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