Taifas of Iberia: Map & History
The taifas were the independent Muslim principalities and kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula, referred to by Muslims as al-Andalus, that emerged from the decline and fall of the Umayyad Caliphate of Córdoba between 1009 and 1031.
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The taifas were the independent Muslim principalities and kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula, referred to by Muslims as al-Andalus, that emerged from the decline and fall of the Umayyad Caliphate of Córdoba between 1009 and 1031. They were a recurring feature of al-Andalus history.
Modern Countries Once Part of Taifas of Iberia
At its mapped extent, Taifas of Iberia covered territory in 3 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Taifas of Iberia'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.
Taifas of Iberia in Depth
Decline
Observers in al-Andalus in the 1080s did not see a decline as likely, much less imminent or probable. However, by the 1090s, popular revolt became a real possibility as the ulama accusations against taifa kings gained popularity.
Reversing the trend of the Umayyad period, when the Christian kingdoms of the north often had to pay tribute to the Caliph, the disintegration of the Caliphate left the rival Muslim kingdoms much weaker than their Christian counterparts, particularly the Castilian–Leonese monarchy, and many had to submit to them, paying tributes known as parias.
Due to their military weakness, taifa princes appealed for North African warriors to come fight Christian kings on two occasions.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Taifa (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Taifas of Iberia Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Taifas of Iberia appears, with the other states of the time.
Taifas of Iberia Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 361,439 km² in 1036 CE.
Taifas of Iberia: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Taifas of Iberia exist?
Taifas of Iberia is dated to 1010 CE – 1249 CE, in the High & Late Middle Ages era.
How large was Taifas of Iberia at its peak?
At its peak in 1036 AD Taifas of Iberia covered about 361,439 km².
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