Christians Social and cultural exchange in Al-Andalus

the christians living in al-andalus, both before , after invasion, visigoths, hispano-romans, , native tribes of iberian peninsula. visigoths , hispano-romans formed noble class prior arab-berber invasion. christian population whole predominantly catholic, although paganism , arianism still persisted in areas, mixing catholic tradition. under christian visigoth rule, tradition of learning had been established @ seville isidore (636 ad). on time, seville became 1 of leading intellectual centers of christian europe. isidorian tradition seems have been abandoned in favor of arabic tradition, although undoubtedly played role in further development of arabic tradition on peninsula. after muslim invasion, christians classified under islamic law dhimmis (protected peoples). status allowed them practice religion freely under umayyad dynasty. christians allowed maintain many of churches , organization of church remained intact, exception of confiscation of many catholic properties. bishops , other high ranking church officials had approved caliphate before take office. although culturally many christians adopted arabic tradition, cultural tradition of catholic church , culture had developed under visigoths maintained in monasteries monks. strong monastic tradition throughout southern portion of iberian peninsula continued flourish , develop under muslim rule. within cities, christians able rise prominent positions within umayyad bureaucracy. 1 example of christian adopted name of [abu umar ibn gundislavus], became vizier under abd al-rahman iii. example being, revemund, christian secretary under same ruler , later sent ambassador germany in 955-6. became bishop of elvira. important note christian artisans, eastern roman empire, called work on various building projects in caliphate of cordoba. of these artisans remained integrated andalusian society. although christians lost absolute dominant status had experienced in iberia, still able gain positions of prominence under muslim rule, however, these conditions deteriorated almoravids , almohads (see restrictions imposed on christians , jews).