Spain’s history dates back more than 600 years. Evidence of its past can be seen everywhere: major roads follow paths trod by Roman legions while cathedrals still provide services using 800-year-old technology.
Catholic monarchs convinced thousands of Muslims and Jews to choose baptism or expulsion, embarked upon voyages that circumnavigated the globe, and built one of Europe’s greatest empires.
Roman Empire
Vespasian (27 BC-14 AD) completed Hispania’s conquest and transition to an empire-republic. Following a period of fierce resistance, Hispanania finally settled into peace known as pax romana.
This period gave Spain its language and religion. Additionally, it inspired its first national political systems.
Visigoths
Visigoths are typically disregarded in classroom versions of Spanish history as temporary invaders who later vanished; yet their impactful contributions to art and law remain relevant today.
King Reccared I was responsible for unifying Iberian Peninsula under his rule; in 587 he converted from Arian Christianity to Nicene Catholicism and officially converted his kingdom. Under his legal code there were no distinctions between romani and gothi peoples and established equality under law as equal jurisdiction was respected for both groups.
Al-Andalus
Al-Andalus was an Islamic kingdom from 711-1492 that left an indelible mark on Spanish history and culture, leaving an invisible imprint that this book explores through an exhibition organized by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and Alhambra y Generalife in Granada.
Muslims, Christians and Jews coexisted peacefully during a remarkable era of cultural, scientific, and economic prosperity – commonly referred to as the Golden Age of Muslim Spain. This book presents key moments from this period while also featuring many notable scholars of its day.
Taifa Kingdoms
Taifa kingdoms paid parias–tribute payments of money, commodities and experts–to Christian monarchies in exchange for military support. This mutual dependence fed their incompetence and made them prime candidates for Christian conquest.
As Alfonso VI of Leon and Castile conquered Toledo in 1085, its other taifas petitioned Yusuf ibn Tashufin of North African Almoravid dynasty for assistance; when he agreed to come, however, many ‘ulama kings from other taifas criticised his reckless behaviour as being unacceptable for aiding them.
Middle Ages
Middle Ages Spain was profoundly changed during this period from 500 AD until 1492. Catholic monarchs sought a single religion state where all practices it, forcing Jews and Muslims either convert or leave altogether.
Once Umayyads fell, al-Andalus unraveled into an unstable collection of Taifa kingdoms vying for power against both Caliphate and among themselves; eventually this eventually gave rise to what became Christian Spain as we know it today.
Renaissance
The Renaissance introduced new ideas and approaches to Spain, such as more scientific approaches to knowledge. It also helped expand literary culture as women began writing plays for the first time ever in Spanish history.
El Greco’s masterpiece, The Savior, illustrates the many artistic influences that shaped Renaissance Spain. From Cretan painter El Greco incorporating mannerist, mysticism to Christ’s tunic’s red glaze made of crushed cochineal bugs from Spanish colonies in America; Renaissance was truly diverse!
Baroque
The Baroque aesthetic was one that placed emphasis on dramatic effect. Ornate sculptures, extravagant paintings, and lavish architecture all helped communicate Catholic church messages about divine grandeur through ornate sculptures, paintings, and architecture of this period.
Baroque art was an especially influential form in colonial Latin America. From Mexico to the Andes, its artists infuse it with indigenous elements – paintings such as Zurbaran’s realistic style or Velazquez’s dramatic chiaroscuro adding new depths of meaning.
Modern
The Spanish Empire reached its zenith during the 16th and 17th centuries with victories over Portugal, Netherlands (Dutch Republic) and England in various wars. Unfortunately, its decline began after losing maritime power and gradually dissolving overseas territories.
Cholera epidemic and agricultural crises caused by phylloxera led to an uprising that eventually saw General Francisco Franco take power as head of state until his death on 20 November 1975.