CHAPTER XII

REIGN OF ABD-AL-RAHMAN III.

Eminent Qualities of the New Ruler--His Firmness--Rapid Subjection of the Rebel Territory--Dissensions of the Christians--Defeat of Ibn-Abi-Abda--Death of Ibn-Hafsun--Impaired Power of the Arab Nobles--War with the Fatimites of Africa--Rout of Junquera--Abd-al-Rahman assumes the Title of Khalif--Its Significance--Invasion of Castile--Reverse of Alhandega--Civil Wars of the Christians--The Princes of Leon and Navarre visit the Moslem Court--Abd-al-Rahman dies at the Age of Seventy Years---His Remarkable Achievements--The Greek and German Embassies--The Saracens in France and Italy--The Slaves and their Influence--Plot of Abdallah--Condition of the Country under Abd-al-Rahman III.--Cordova--Its Wealth and Magnificence--The Royal Villas--The City and Palace of Medina-al-Zahrâ--Melancholy Reflections of the Greatest of the Khalifs 563