Umayyad state of Córdoba
Social status

The elite political and social circles that formed around the Umayyads in Córdoba were known as the khāṣṣa (Arabic: الخاص). They were largely Arab, though they were also joined by individuals of non-Arab origin who climbed through the political ranks. Among the latter were various mawālī (sing. mawlā), or "clients" sponsored by powerful families. These were often Muslim converts and, unlike its connotations in the Middle East, the term mawlā in al-Andalus typically implied an elite status. Some powerful Berber leaders and scholars were also able to join the ranks of the political elites.

Slavery was also a regular feature of Andalusi society and al-Andalus was a center of the slave trade in the Western Mediterranean, particularly in the 10th century when the caliphate played a major role in international trade. Merchants of many backgrounds (Jewish, Muslim, and Christian) participated in this trade. Historical sources attest that slaves were commonly employed in wealthy households and especially at the royal court, but little is known of what role they may have played in industries such as agriculture and mining. Most slaves of this period were captured during Muslim raids on the Christian kingdoms in the northern Iberian Peninsula or were imported from other European markets. These European slaves were known as ṣaqāliba (Arabic: صقالبة) and were highly valued. Some were castrated and sold as eunuchs, considered a very prized commodity. The latter were an integral part of Umayyad palace society and played an important role in courtly politics, including in the matter of dynastic succession, where they often allied with the women whose sons were potential candidates for the throne. All the mothers of Umayyad emirs and caliphs were also originally slaves. In the context of elite society, slave origins held no social stigma and women could become very powerful in the household and the court. Slave girls that were considered particularly prized or gifted were usually given an extensive education in arts and literature, as was also common in the court of the Abbasid caliphs. Black African slaves, known as 'abīd, were also purchased and imported to al-Andalus, but they were less numerous than the ṣaqāliba and mostly trained to serve as military troops.
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