The Ornament of the World

The Ornament of the World

Introduction

The Ornament of the World is the book written by Maria Rosa Menocal, which provides detail about history of the Iberian Peninsula. This book mainly focused on the Muslim period during fifteenth century. It deals with the expansion of literature, science, and culture during the time of Muslim rules in the Middle Ages. This period is marked with the religious activities and provides a story about the last prince of the Islamic dynasty. It contains detailed account of the other major religions of that time and comparison among the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian cultures and religions. Menocal successfully combines these details with the historical impact of these events (Menocal, 2002). Another important aspect of this book is that it not only provides the historical accounts of a particular person or place, but it gives detailed account of changes in science, technology, art, music, poetry, architecture and in different other fields.

It also discussed the rise and fall of the glorious kingdoms and Christian monarchs. This book provides an overview of the history of the Iberian Peninsula from the time of Abd-al-Rahman through the Reconquista and capitulation of Granada in 1492. There is detailed discussion about the lost history of the evolution of the Jews, Christians, and Muslims in that period and the detailed account of the period prior to the Muslim conquest(Menocal, 2002). This book is a comprehensive guide to the understanding of the hybrid culture with the high tolerance level which existed in the groups and communities of that time and the reasons which led to the problems and events that resulted in the collapse of this cultural tolerance.

Discussion

History of the Iberian Peninsula from the Time of Abd-Al-Rahman through the Reconquista and Capitulation of Granada In 1492

There is detailed historical account of the exile of the prince Abd al-Rahman who abandoned his home and explored a new kingdom the Iberian Peninsula: al-Andalus. All the historical accounts are provided in the interesting chronological order which provides the detailed information about problems faced by Abd al-Rahman (Menocal, 2002). There is also detailed account of Damascus and the deaths and crisis faced by his family. It was the time of rule of Umayyads and they helped Muslims to escape from the Arabian Desert. Most of the people of this family were dead in the beginning and remaining killed in their attempt to escape. Abd al-Rahman was only one to escape and survived. This book contains details about the struggles of this prince who was the only heir of the Abbasids.

There are various historical evidences from that period and ruling powers of that time. Iberia was also named as Hispania was under the Roman rule was conquered by the Arabic al-Andalus (Menocal, 2002). The historical journey begins from here and it led to the Reconquista and Capitulation of Granada in 1492 which was under the rule of Queen Isabella. This book provides detailed cultural and architectural account of the historical aspects of that ...