The Almohads

Map of Almohad Expansion
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almohad_Caliphate#/media/File:Almohad_Expansion.png

Research question: What caused the downfall of the Almohads?


The Almohads, a group of radical Muslims who originated from Morocco, had a tremendous impact on Spain upon their invasion in 1147. They were able to take over a large amount of territory, spreading through it their strict beliefs and ideas. The Almohads' large conquest had a great effect on everyone living in Spain, but particularly the Jews, for which this event was a terrible blow.

The Almohads were a group of Puritanical Berber tribes led by Ibn Tūmart, who, in 1121, "...proclaimed himself the mahdī, or spiritual-messianic leader" (Jewish Virtual Library). He was an Islamic fundamentalist who disapproved of the Almoravids, who ruled over Muslim Spain, thinking them too lax religiously and too involved in material luxuries. Thus, he decided to take over Spain in order to reinstate power and purity there. Additionally, as a result of earlier Christian efforts to try to regain territory, the Almohads attempted, and succeeded, to capture Spain.

Prior to becoming the Almohad leader, Ibn Tūmart, because of his extremely fanatical views, attempted to put a stop to "...manifestations of immorality" (New World Encyclopedia). For example, he attacked wine shops and even injured a woman for not wearing a veil, as he believed they should. He was forced out of multiple towns for his violent expressions of zeal. Consequently, he took shelter in the Masmuda, the Berber tribe from which he originated. It was there that he pronounced himself leader, thus beginning the Almohad conquest of Spain.

19th century depiction of the battle of Las Navas de Tolosa
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Las_Navas_de_Tolosa

It was not until after Ibn Tūmart's successor, 'Abd al Mu'min, came to power that the Almohads were able to bring down the Almoravids, in 1147. They continued to battle and extend their borders to Ifriqiya and al-Andalus. Makarresh was established as their Maghrebi capital, while Seville was their capital in al-Andalus. 

The Almohads developed a hierarchy, where the family members of the leader were given the highest positions. The Almohads had soon become "...the greatest empire the western part of Dâr al-Islam had ever known." (Qantara). However, during the reign of Abū Yūsuf Ya'qūb al-Manṣūr, Arab rebellions rose up and destroyed much of the eastern part of the empire. This was the beginning of the downfall of the Almohads. In 1212, they lost the battle of Las Navas de Tolosa to the Christians. Little by little, their empire began to diminish until the final blow, when the Marinids captured their capital in 1269.

The Almohads had beautiful architectural styles which they incorporated into their buildings. Their religious architecture was especially magnificent. Two mosques in Marrakech- Kutbiyya and Qasba- were "...considered as masterpieces". (Qantara) It is clear from the lavishness of these buildings that, although the Almohads had repudiated the Almoravids' excess of opulence, they "...eventually succumbed to the luxury culture of al-Andalus". (The Met) 

Kutbiyya Mosque
http://archnet.org/sites/1741/media_contents/86861

Minbar inside the Kutbiyya Mosque
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/almo/hd_almo.htm

In fact, the Almohads' original belief of subdued extravagance was not the only thing that was done away with. Ibn Tūmart's Puritanical approach was lost as well, even as his first successor came to power. Thus, the Almohads were left living quite like the Almoravids, whom, ironically, they had condemned for their luxurious way of living.

Menara Gardens, built by Ibn Tūmart's successor, 'Abd al Mu'min
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Almohad_Dynasty

The Almohads, as we have learned, were extremely intolerant of Jews. When they gained control over Spain, many Spanish Jews, including Maimonides and his family, fled. Those remaining in Spain were removed from any government position and forced to convert to Islam or die. Gerber writes that the Almohads left behind them "...a trail of Jewish martyrs and forced converts." (Page 80) Jews who converted to Islam, although still secretly practicing their true religion, were humiliated and ordered to wear ugly clothes that identified them as Jews. 

Not only did the Almohads treat the Jews terribly, but they were also intolerant toward other Muslim sects who did not share their religious standards. Some Muslims, like many Jews, fled from Almohad territory. This intolerance was a major contributor to the downfall of the Almohads; diverse sections of their population who could have been a large help to the strength of their empire were estranged. They partly brought their own downfall. 

The rise and fall of the Almohad empire served an extremely important role in the history of Spain and Spanish Jewry. This dynasty's invasion of Spain caused a huge stir in Spanish society, injecting in it their radical beliefs, which, consequently, brought terrible suffering to the Jews. We see, however, that gradually, this empire's former values and strength began to crumble until they were finally destroyed by a new group of Muslims, who would start a whole different way of Spanish life.

I chose to write about the Almohads because their invasion of Spain was a major turning point in the history of Spanish Jews. I was interested in seeing how they rose to power and their radical views and ideas of how Muslims should be, which were quite similar to what a lot of the Muslim sects believe in today. 

Gerber, Jane S. The Jews of Spain: A History of the Sephardic Experience. New York: Free, 1992. Print.

This book gives us an idea of how the Almohads treated the Jews in Spain. It explains how                 Almohads viewed the Almoravids unfavorably and how they forced Jews to convert or die,                 which caused a large amount of Jews to flee from Spain.

"Almohads". http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/. Web.                     10/30/16. http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0001_0_00857.html

 This website gives an explanation as to the nature of the rise and fall of the Almohads. It begins with Ibn Tūmart's proclaiming himself mahdī and ends with the different components which brought down the Almohad rule.

"The Almohad Dynasty (1130-1269)". http://www.qantara-med.org/. Web. 10/30/16. http://www.qantara-med.org/qantara4/public/show_document.php?do_id=600&lang=en

This website describes the Almohads' ascent to power and the areas they conquered which                   allowed them to become such a great empire. Additionally, it explains the nature of the                         hierarchy of the Almohad Dynasty.

Maimonides, Moses, and Isadore Twersky. A Maimonides Reader. New York: Behrman House, 1972. Print. twersky_maimonides_intro._1.pdf

 In telling the story of Maimonides' life, this book mentions the Almohad invasion of Spain.                 This is the cause of Maimonides and his family's move to Morocco in 1165.

"Almohads." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 23 Nov.             2016. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Almohads

This website gives a summary of the life of the Almohad Empire, from its creation until its                 defeat. It also talks briefly about the Almohad hierarchy and their strict religious views.

Art, Author: Department of Islamic. "The Art of the Almoravid and Almohad Periods (ca. 1062–1269) | Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art." The Met's Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2016.

This website gives an idea of the artistic styles of the Almohads and how they eventually gave in to the temptation of luxury and created magnificent, ornate buildings.

"Almohad Dynasty." Almohad Dynasty - New World Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2016.

This website gives an explanation of the history of the Almohads and provides some background information about  Ibn Tūmart's life before becoming leader. Additionally, it discusses the Almohad's strict religious views and the repercussions they had on those living in Spain at the time of their invasion.