Abd ar-Rahman III (891–961)

Ruler of Cordoba in Moorish Spain 912–61. In 929 he proclaimed himself caliph of a Muslim dynasty (Umayyad), formally asserting the independence from the caliphs of Baghdad which his predecessors had enjoyed for almost two centuries. As a successful proponent of jihad against the Christian kingdoms and an expert at siege warfare he brought Umayyad power and Moorish cultural achievement to its zenith.

Abd ar-Rahman's capital at Córdoba was the haven to which Muslims from the east and south and Christians from northern Europe had recourse. His palace at Madīnat az-Zahrā, which was begun in 936, became the centre of political activity and an architectural jewel.

Abd ar-Rahman recaptured the Muslim cities in Spain by techniques ranging from the use of mangonels at Beja in 929 to blockade and a permanent siege camp at Toledo in 930. During the course of his reign his personal force of slave troops grew from 3,750 to 13,750, enabling him to defeat the Christians in battle. He was victor over the Basques and Leonese near Pamplona in 920, and sacked the city in 924. In 929 he declared himself caliph with the regnal title ‘al-Nasir’. After 939 he was less active in Spain, but aggressive in North Africa, taking Ceuta in 931 and Tangier in 951.