Taifa of Arcos

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Taifa of Arcos (1011–1145)

The Taifa of Arcos was a small Berber-ruled kingdom in medieval southern Spain, centered in Arcos de la Frontera (now in Cádiz, Andalusia). It began in 1011 when the Banū Jizrūn, a Zanata Berber clan, expelled the Umayyad governor of Sidonia and declared independence from the Caliphate of Córdoba. The capital was Arcos de la Frontera.

The taifa lasted until 1068, when Seville defeated Arcos and took control. From then until 1143 it was ruled by Seville and its Almoravid allies (1068–1091 and 1101–1143). In 1143–1145 Arcos briefly regained independence, but in 1145 the area was conquered by the Almohad Caliphate and joined the Almohad empire.

Languages spoken included Andalusi Arabic, Mozarabic, and Hebrew. Religions practiced were Islam, Roman Catholicism, and Judaism. Currencies used were the dirham and the dinar.