Spanish Poetry - Arabic and Hebrew Poetry During The Moorish Period

Arabic and Hebrew Poetry During The Moorish Period

During the time when Spain was occupied by the Arabs after the early 700s, the Iberian Peninsula became dominated by the Arabic language in both the central and southern regions. Latin still prevailed in the north, but the two languages began to merge, forming several idioms called the Romance languages. The Jewish culture had its own Golden Age through the span of the 900s to 1100s in Spain. Hebrew poetry was usually in the style of Piyyut; however, under Muslim rule in Spain, the style changed. These poets began to write again in what was the “pure language of the Bible”. Beforehand, poems were written in Midrash. This change was a result of the commitment the Arabs had to the Koran. Tempos and secular topics were now prevalent in Hebrew poetry. However, these poems were only reflections of events seen by the Jews and not of ones practiced themselves.

• The Alhambra Poets:
  • Ibn al-Yayyab
  • Ibn Zamrak
  • Ibn al-Khatib
• Ibn Sahl of Sevilla
• Ibn Hazm of Córdoba
• Ibn Gabirol
• Moses ibn Ezra
• Abraham ibn Ezra
• Ibn Quzman
• Ibn Arabi