ALMOHAD

Ibn Tumart [i], the founder of the dynasty, was proclaimed by his followers as "the guided Imam" [ii]. He defended the need to develop science and knowledge to balance religion. After dominating North Africa, the Almohads tried to unify the Taifas [iii] in Al-Andalus by resisting against the Christians and defending Islamic purity. The Almohads’ power began to decline with the resistance from local dynasties [iv] in the Maghreb. At the same time, setbacks in the Iberian Peninsula [v] in 1248 marked the official disintegration of the Dynasty. Consequently, the Empire disintegrated with the ruling of Idris al-Wathiq [vi], following the Maranids’ [vii] claim over Marrakech in 1269.

The Almohads had many rivals due to the vast extension of their empire. One of their main adversaries, and occasional ally, was the Mamluk Sultanate [viii]. The Christian Kingdoms of Spain [ix] would also frequently attempt to overtake the Almohads’ expansive territory. The Berber tribe confederation known as the Hintata [x] helped the Almohads claim their expansive power and remained a longtime ally throughout the duration of the dynasty. On the other hand, the Almohads’ most effective enemies were the Marinids [xi], who eventually overtook the Almohad Dynasty and much of the Maghreb with the help of Christian mercenaries. Ultimately in 1269, the Almohads surrendered to them.

Arguably the most prominent aspect of the Almohad Empire’s legacy was their architectural achievements [xii]. The dynasty is credited with building a wide variety of intricate mosques. These architectural feats included the Koutoubia Mosque [xiii] in Marrakech, the Tin Mal [xiv] in the High Atlas, and the Menara Gardens [xv]. Moreover, these architectural creations set the precedent for the creation of churches in Spain [xvi] and beyond. The Almohads also had a lasting impact in language, as demonstrated by the many Spanish words with Arabic roots [xvii]. The Almohads’ silver coin, square dirham [xviii], and gold dinar coins were also of great prestige and reached widespread international diffusion.

The Almohad Empire had an organized and centralized administrative system. For many years, the original hierarchy [xix] system remained as the empire’s political and social framework; with the founders and their descendants ruling the dynasty. However, a Spanish form of central government [xx] was eventually overlaid on the existing Berber organization [xxi]. Politics and military activity were also deeply entangled in the Almohad Empire. Rulers emerged first and foremost as commanders in chief who were tasked with commanding the empire’s armies. Political life also involved the formation of a judicial system [xxii], administrative structures [xxiii] to collect taxes, preserve correspondence, and the cultivation of religious and intellectual environments [xxiv]

The Almohad Empire ruled in the Middle Ages from 1121 to 1269. As a powerful urban center, the sacred capital of Tinmel [xxv], central capital of Marrakech, and regional capitals of Seville and Tunisia [xxvi] were all of importance. The empire emerged as a reaction to the religious openness of the Almoravids [xxvii], who had taken over the Maghreb, but failed to stop the advance of Christian states in the Iberian Peninsula. Their administration was sustained by a monarchy with two Princes of the Caliph: Abd al-Mu’min [xxviii] (1121-1130) and al-Wathiq Idris [xxix] (1266-1269). The empire primarily used Northern Berber languages [xxx], although Mozarabic [xxxi] was also spoken.

In just over thirty years, the Almohads forged a powerful and expansive empire [xxxiii] that stretched from Santarém in present-day Portugal, to Tripoli in Libya, including all of North Africa and the southern half of the Iberian Peninsula. The Almohads managed to stop the advance of Christians when they defeated the Castilian troops in the 1195 Battle of Alarcos [xxxiii] The Almohad Empire also relied on the imam-Caliph [xxxiv], who had a monopoly over all military and administrative functions. He acted mainly as the source of the Law [xxxv]. At their largest point of extension, the Almohad Empire’s territory reached over 2,300,000 km² [xxxvi]

The Almohad Dynasty had a flourishing economy thanks to the commercial advantages [xxxvii] that came with the unification of the entire Maghreb and southern Al-Andalus region. They created a free trade [xxxviii] area that connected the Christian and European world to the North [xxxix], and the Saharan and Sub-Saharan world to the South [xl]. Despite the differences in religion, economic interactions and exchanges between Christians and Muslims continued to advance and grow in the empire. The Almohad Empire’s monetary system was the foundation for the economy’s expansion. One of the Almohad Empire’s most striking economic innovations was the unique square shape of the dinar coins [xli].