The Taifa of Denia and the Medieval Mediterranean

527 Pages·2017·4.19 MB·English

by  Travis Bruce

Western Michigan University
ScholarWorks at WMU
Dissertations Graduate College
8-2010
The Taifa of Denia and the Medieval
Mediterranean
Travis Bruce
Western Michigan University
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THE TAIFA OF DENIA AND THE MEDIEVAL MEDITERRANEAN

by

Travis Bruce

A Dissertation
Submitted to the
Faculty of The Graduate College
in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the
Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Department of History
Advisor: Larry J. Simon, Ph.D.

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan
August 2010
THE TAIFA OF DENIA AND THE MEDIEVAL MEDITERRANEAN

Travis Bruce, Ph.D.

Western Michigan University, 2010

This dissertation treats the Muslim kingdom of Denia on the Spanish
Mediterranean coast. Through a singular political program, the eleventh-century
rulers of Denia created a maritime kingdom based on the resources and networks of
the Mediterranean. Denia played a unique role as a Mediterranean polity, developing
economic links with Christian Barcelona, Sardinia, Pisa and Genoa that would
connect Muslim and Christian populations over several centuries. The dissertation
demonstrates the importance of economics in the Muslim-Christian relations of the
western Mediterranean using Latin archival documents, Latin and Arabic narrative
sources, and archeological and numismatic evidence. It explores the extent to which
local populations were dependent upon and reacted to the new economic and political
structures of the eleventh century. The role of trade as a cross-cultural phenomenon
and the nature of religious and political legitimacy revealed by this dissertation are as
relevant today as they were in the eleventh century. For both the issues it explores
and its innovative use of sources, the dissertation makes a substantial contribution to
Spanish, Islamic and Mediterranean History.

UMI Number: 3424849

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UMI 3424849
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Copyright by
Travis Bruce
2010
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This dissertation would not have been possible without the help of many
different people. I hope that it merits the support they have given throughout the
years.
My dissertation director, Larry J. Simon, has offered constant support, sharing
his intellectual, professional and personal guidance, not to mention the Corner Bar
and a passion for all things Mediterranean. My courses and conversations with Adam
Sabra helped me to better understand the Islamic world, while his comments have
greatly contributed to the eventual quality of this work. I would never have been able
to undertake the research necessary for this dissertation without language skills
gained through work with Rand Johnson and Mustafa Mughazy. Thomas Glick’s
personal work, as well as his decision to sit on my committee, have pushed me to
better develop aspects of my subject that might otherwise have been left to the side.
In France, Philip Sénac has been a critical, supportive and patient mentor since long
before this whole business started. I have called on Annliese Nef for her essential
advice, corrections and critiques far too many times, while Dominique Valérian has
always been a gracious comrade in piracy. Helpful comments from Pierre Guichard,
Christophe Picard, Rafael Azuar Ruiz and Bernard Doumerc improved a much more
flawed earlier version of this project. In Spain, Patrice Cressier, Mikél de Epalza,
Rafael Azuar Ruiz, Sonia Gutiérrez Lloret and Josep Antoní Gisbert Santonja each
offered advice, information and patient direction.
Many different organizations have generously provided essential financial
ii
Acknowledgments—continued

support for this dissertation. The History department at Western Michigan University
offered me a doctoral associateship, numerous travel and research grants, and the
inestimable chance to develop my skills in the classroom. A dissertation writing
grant from the Graduate College at Western Michigan University allowed me an
uninterrupted year of production. Grants from the Casa de Velázquez, the École
française de Rome and the Program for Cultural Cooperation made possible
necessary research trips to Italy and Spain. My research laboratories in Poitiers and
Toulouse likewise offered their financial support on more than one occasion. A
generous fellowship granted by the Fulbright Commission allowed me a year of
research in Spain, and more importantly has opened countless doors and
opportunities. Finally, the Université Lumière Lyon 2 provided a much needed
professional position in the final years of this dissertation.
On a personal note, Michelle and Danièle Page have always given me their
full support on many levels, and I could never thank them enough. I will not forget
Isabelle Engammare’s confidence, generosity and patience. My parents have
supported me at every step of this long process, and I am proud to offer them its
result. Emilie Taillade Bruce has left her mark on every page of this work.
Intellectually and personally, I could neither have finished nor even begun this
without her. I dedicate this work to my kids, to Elijah, who was willing to believe
those really were castles in the mountains of Alicante, and to Cleo, who could be the
princess of each of them.

Travis Bruce
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...................................................................................... ii
LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................ x
LIST OF MAPS ...................................................................................................... xi
ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................ xii
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 1
TRANSLITERATION ............................................................................... 10
CHAPTER
I. GEOGRAPHY, SOCIETY, AND POLICY BEFORE THE FITNA .......... 11
REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY ........................................................................ 12
MARITIME POLICIES UNDER THE UMAYYAD EMIRATE ......................... 14
Maritime and population decline (third to eighth centuries) ...... 16
Political neglect of the Sharq al-Andalus .................................... 20
UMAYYAD MARITIME POLICY AND MEDITERRANEAN
DEVELOPMENT ...................................................................................... 21
Mediterranean policy and the assimilation of independent
ports.............................................................................................. 23
Pechina ................................................................................. 26
Fraxinetum............................................................................ 31
The Balearic Islands ............................................................. 35
Control over the Sharq al-Andalus .............................................. 40
Campaigns of conquest and consolidation ........................... 40
iv
Table of Contents—continued

CHAPTER
The ribāṭ of Guardamar and the assimilation of
networks ................................................................................ 43
Commercial Policy and Treaties with the Christian West ........... 51
Peace treaties ....................................................................... 52
Piracy, guerre de course and commerce ............................... 57
II. THE RISE OF THE ‘ĀMIRIDS AND THE BIRTH OF THE
MULŪK AL-ṬAWĀ’IF ................................................................................ 61
‘ĀMIRID MEDITERRANEAN POLICY ...................................................... 62
Coastal resources and territorial control ...................................... 62
Ṣaqāliba: agents of ‘Āmirid policy .............................................. 65
Mujāhid al-‘Āmirī on the eve of the fitna .................................... 68
‘ASABIYYA AND FACTIONS DURING THE FITNA ........................................ 70
The fragile cohesion of the Ṣaqāliba ........................................... 72
Mujāhid and the ‘Āmirid fityān ................................................... 81
III. POLITY, TERRITORY, AND MATTERS OF STATE ............................... 84
THE STATE DURING THE TAIFA PERIOD ................................................. 86
Political legitimacy according to Islamic jurists .......................... 86
Legitimizing taifal power ............................................................. 91
Mamlaka, dawla, and the taifa state ............................................. 95
FISCAL AND FRAGMENTED TERRITORIES............................................... 98
Tax systems and territorial models .............................................. 98
Political territory under the taifas ................................................ 100
v