Unit 2. Key Words and Definitions

Unit 2: The Iberian Peninsula During the Early Middle Ages

1. Al-Andalus: Territory Muslims governed in the Iberian Peninsula.

2. Berber: Tribe from North Africa and the Sahara desert who converted to the Islam when their territory was conquered by the Caliphate.

3. Pelayo: Visigothic nobleman who founded the Kingdom of Asturias. He fought and won the Battle of Covadonda, and so the Christian Reconquista of the Iberian Peninsula began.

4. Jews: Group of people originating from the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East.

5. Muladi: Christian who converted to Islam.

6. Fuero: Code of law in which the king or a lord granted a city certain privileges such as exemption from taxes.

7. Pilgrimage: Journey to a sacred place encouraged by Christian kings.

8. Mozarabs: Natives of the Iberian Peninsula who had not converted to Islam and maintained their Christian beliefs.

9. Almohads and Almoravids: North African peoples who invaded Al-Andalus and subdued the Taifa kingdoms between the 11^th and the 13^th centuries.