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Cordoba in the 11th century
I can describe what Cordoba was like in the 11th century and explain how it differed from Baghdad.
Lesson 2 of 3
New
New
- Year 7
Cordoba in the 11th century
I can describe what Cordoba was like in the 11th century and explain how it differed from Baghdad.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Cordoba was the centre of cultural life in the Cordoban Caliphate.
- Many ancient texts were translated into Arabic and Latin in Cordoba.
- Cultural and economic ties with North Africa were important in Cordoba.
- Buildings in Cordoba drew on influences from across the Mediterranean.
- Cordoba had some differences to the eastern Islamic world.
Keywords
Scholars - scholars are people who have studied a subject and know a lot about it
Architecture - architecture refers to the design and style of buildings
Common misconception
Pupils assume that all medieval Islamic states must have been identical to one another.
Islamic states had similarities and differences (i.e. Cordoba had many Mediterranean influences; Persian influence was stronger in Baghdad).
In learning cycle 2, after reading about Cordoban involvement in the slave trade ask students to speculate how Cordoba may have participated in enslaving people. Reveal that most northern Europeans were Christian as a clue.
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match up each keyword with the correct definition.
Match up each keyword with the correct definition.
an Islamic political and religious leader
a male ruler in some countries
the head of the Catholic Church
Q2.Which country is located in Western Europe?
Which country is located in Western Europe?
Iraq
Morocco
Egypt
Q3.What was the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate in the 11th century?
What was the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate in the 11th century?
Cairo
Mecca
Rome
Q4.Write the missing word. The year 1066 is part of the century.
Write the missing word. The year 1066 is part of the century.
Q5.Write the missing word. The year 832 is part of the century.
Write the missing word. The year 832 is part of the century.
Q6.Which example best shows that Baghdad was a centre of learning in the 11th century?
Which example best shows that Baghdad was a centre of learning in the 11th century?
It was the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate.
The caliphs lived there.
It was the largest city in the world at one point.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How large was Cordoba's population?
How large was Cordoba's population?
30 000 people
3 000 000 people
Q2.Which statement most accurately describes Cordoba's population?
Which statement most accurately describes Cordoba's population?
only Muslims lived in Cordoba
Muslims and Christians lived in Cordoba
Muslims, Christians, Jews, and Hindus lived in Cordoba
Q3.Write the missing word. Many worked and lived in Cordoba, studying a wide range of subjects.
Write the missing word. Many worked and lived in Cordoba, studying a wide range of subjects.
Q4.What type of trade was one of the biggest in 11th century Cordoba?
What type of trade was one of the biggest in 11th century Cordoba?
silk
silver
sugar
Q5.Which area influenced the architecture of the Great Mosque in Cordoba?
Which area influenced the architecture of the Great Mosque in Cordoba?
British Isles
Persia
Q6.Which statement is most accurate?
Which statement is most accurate?
Baghdad was the only important Islamic centre of learning in the 11th century.
Cordoba was the only important Islamic centre of learning in the 11th century.
Neither Baghdad nor Cordoba were important Islamic centres of learning.