THE MIDDLE AGES

476 AD – 1492 AD

VOCABULARY

ARABIC = árabe CALIPHATE = califato CLERGY = clero EMIRATE = emirato FEUDAL SYSTEM = feudalismo GOTHIC = gótico (estilo arquitectónico) ROMANESQUE = románico (estilo

arquitectónico) HORSESHOE ARCH = arco de herradura

VOCABULARY ISLAM = islam KINGDOM = reino LATIN = latín (lengua) MIDDLE AGES = Edad Media MONASTERY = monasterio MUSLIMS = musulmanes NOBLEMAN = noble PEASANT = campesino SERF = siervo SOUK = zoco TAIFA = taifa, reino.

The Visigoths

In 476 AD Germanic invaders deposed the last Roman Emperor = The End of the Roman Empire.

A New Kingdom

The Visigoths (from Germany) entered The Peninsula and founded a new kingdom, the capital was TOLEDO

Visigoths

Their language was LATIN (as in the Roman Empire)

They were expert metalworkers. They converted the Territory to

Christianity.

711 AD

The reign of the Visigoths in Toledo lasted until 711 AD.

The last King, Roderic was defeated by the Muslims (from the North of Africa)

In 711 AD the Visigoths Kingdom ended.

The Muslim Conquest

In the 7th Century, a new religion = ISLAM expanded through the Middle East and North Africa.

In 711 AD, Muslims from North Africa entered the Peninsula and defeated The Visigoths.

The Muslims conquered most of the Peninsula except of some mountain areas in the north.

Al-Andalus

Muslims founded a new kingdom called Al- Andalus, the capital was CÓRDOBA.

The Caliph = the highest political and religious authority.

Economic activity

Muslims introduced new irrigation techniques.

Muslims introduced new crops (cotton, rice)

Merchants trade products such as pottery, leather and jewellery.

The Culture

Al- Andalus was an important centre of learning.

There were very famous philosophers and mathematicians.

There was amazing architecture examples, as for example: MEZQUITA DE CÓRDOBA, ALHAMBRA DE GRANADA and ALCÁZAR DE SEVILLA.

Mezquita de Córdoba

Alhambra de Granada

Alcázar de Sevilla

Muslims, Christians and Jews.

They all lived together in Al-Andalus although they had different religions.

Christians in the Muslim Kingdom were called MOZÁRABES.

Rulers in Al-Andalus

CALIPH = ruler. CALIPHATE = the territory. EMIR = important person under the

rule of the caliph. EMIRATE = territory.

Cities in Al-Andalus

Cities in Al-Andalus were protected by a wall.

Streets were narrow and winding. The main part of the city was The

MEDINA Muslims built libraries and

universities.

Muslim lands/Christian lands

The Christian Kingdom

Medieval Society was FEUDAL. Each social group had obligations

(pay taxes) and rights (protection) The King was powerful and had great

authority. Nobles follow the King and had to

help him in wars.

3 Social Groups

Nobility (nobleza) they owned the land and lived in castles.

Clergy (clero) they belong to the church and built monasteries and churches.

Peasants (campesinos) worked in fields of the nobility or clergy. Some owned small pieces of land but they were not free and had to pay taxes.

Romanesque architecture

Romanesque church: 1. Bell tower.2. Thick, solid walls.3. Rounded arches.4. Small, narrow windows. Romanesque churches are dark

inside but decorated with colourful paintings on the walls and ceilings.

San Pere de Rodes

Catedral de Jaca (Huesca)

Colegiata de Santillana de Mar

(Cantabria)

Gothic architecture

Gothic cathedral: 1. Bell tower2. High walls3. Pointed arches4. Large windows with decorative stained

glass5. Decorative rose window. Gothic cathedrals are bright and

colourful inside.

Catedral de Burgos

Catedral de León (cathedral)

Catedral de Mallorca