Abd Al-Rahman III: The First Cordoban Caliph

Makers of the Muslim World

by Maribel Fierro

‘Abd al-Rahman III (891-961) was the greatest of the Umayyad rulers of al-Andalus (Islamic Spain and Portugal) and the first of them to take the title of Caliph. A strong leader and an astute politician, he conducted campaigns against Muslim rebels within his own realm, fought the Christian Kings in the north of the Iberian Peninsula, confronted the Fatimids in North Africa and founded the palatine town of Madinat al-Zahra. By the time of his death in 961, ‘Abd al-Rahman III had pacified the whole of al-Andalus and made Cordoba a capital city to rival the greatest of the age. This book is the first biography of this fascinating and hugely influential figure to be published in English. Accessible yet authoritative, it also feature a comprehensive guide to further reading, and will prove an indispensable resource for readers of all backgrounds.

Genres: History, Islam, Nonfiction, Spain

160 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 2005

About the author

"Dr. Maribel Isabel Fierro is a researcher on Middle Eastern studies at the Spanish National Research Council's humanities branch in Madrid, Spain."

Reviews

[José Luís Fernandes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good introduction to al-Andalus and the age of Abd-al-Rahman III. It's very readable and a wonderful addition to the Makers of the Muslim World series.

[Abu Kamdar · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent summary of the reign of Abd al-Rahman III, Caliph of al-Andalus.

[Yazman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent starting point for those interested in Abd al-Rahman III, and also for those interested in Islamic Iberia more broadly, especially during the Umayyad era which many find so fascinating.

[Imran Rašljanin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is absolutely disgusting. No references and fusnotes. Myths and anecdotes are used as facts.