The Andalusian economy in times of Almanzor: administrative theory and economic reality trough juridical and geographic sources

Abstract

A study of the economy of al-Andalus in epoch of Ibn Abi 'Amir, Almanzor, through the analysis of three related aspects: First, it is shown how the Kitab al- amwal of the Maghrebin, ad-Dawüdî (d. 402 or 411/10112 or 1020 1) was a juridical treaty on administrative and economic topics and it was known and used in this epoch. Secondly, the functioning of the state granaries or alorines as storage centres for the legal taxes proceeding from agriculture is presented and they are presented as the functional heirs of the annona militaris of the Roman empire. Finally, the economic information about al-Andalus transmitted by the oriental geographers Ibn Hawqal and al-Muqaddasi is shown in the shape of tables (both died after 378/988).

Se analizan tres aspectos relacionados con la economía andalusí en época de Almanzor: Primeramente, se reivindica el Kitab al-amwal del magrebí ad-Dawudi (m. 402 ó 411/1011·2 ó 1020·1) como una obra jurídica de tema administrativo y económico empleada en esta época. En segundo lugar se presenta el funcionamiento de los graneros estatales o alorines como centros de almacenamiento de los impuestos legales procedentes de la agricultura y se presentan como herederos funcionales de la annona militaris del imperio romano. Finalmente se muestra en forma de tablas la información económica que de al-Andalus transmitieron los geógrafos orientales Ibn Hawqal y al-Muqaddasi (ambos m. después 378/988).