CHAPTER XVIII

THE EMPIRE OF THE ALMOHADES

Rise of Abu-Abdallah, the Mahdi--His Character and Talents--He rebels against Ali--His Eventful Career--Abd-al-Mumen succeeds Him--Decline of the Almoravide Power in Spain--Raid of Alfonso of Aragon--Rout of Fraga--Death of Alfonso--Indecisive Character of the Campaigns in the War of the Reconquest--Progress of Abd-al-Mumen in Africa--Victories of the Almohades--Natural Hostility of Moor and Berber--Anarchy in the Peninsula--It is invaded by the Africans--Establishment of the Almohade Empire in Andalusia--Almeria taken by the Christians--Its Recapture by the Berbers--Death of Abd-al-Mumen--His Genius and Greatness--Accession of Yusuf--His Public Works--He organizes a Great Expedition--He dies and is succeeded by Yakub--The Holy War proclaimed--Battle of Alarcos--Effects of African Supremacy--Death of Yakub--The Giralda--Mohammed--He attempts the Subjugation of the Christians--Despair of the Latter--Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa--Utter Rout of the Almohade Army 247