Description
Bettany Hughes traces the story of the mysterious and misunderstood
Moors, the Islamic society that ruled in Spain for 700 years, but whose
legacy was virtually erased from Western history. In 711 AD, a tribe of
newly converted Muslims from North Africa crossed the straits of
Gibraltar and invaded Spain. Known as The Moors, they went on to build a
rich and powerful society. Its capital, Cordoba, was the largest and
most civilised city in Europe, with hospitals, libraries and a public
infrastructure light year ahead of anything in England at the time.
Amongst the many things that were introduced to Europe by Muslims at
this time were: a huge body of classical Greek texts that had been lost
to the rest of Europe for centuries (kick-starting the Renaissance);
mathematics and the numbers we use today; advanced astronomy and medical
practices; fine dining; the concept of romantic love; paper; deodorant;
and even erection creams. This wasn't the rigid, fundamentalist Islam
of some people's imaginations, but a progressive, sensuous and
intellectually curious culture. But when the society collapsed, Spain
was fanatically re-Christianised; almost every trace of seven centuries
of Islamic rule was ruthlessly removed. It is only now, six centuries
later, that The Moors' influences on European life and culture are
finally beginning to be fully understood.
Tags
Channel 4, Bettany Hughes, ancient, world, documentary, free, watch, online, film, download, moors, rule, europe, when, spain, islam, ad, africa, muslim, gibraltar, cordoba, civil, hospital, library, greece, renaissance, christianity, culture
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