The original capital of the Caliphate was Damascus, but it eventually moved to Cordoba (yes, the one in Andalusia) in 756. /4
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Replying to @Spivonomist
Now, take note that Cordoba remained the capital of the Caliphate until 1031. That's 3 centuries after Charlemagne took the territory. /5
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Replying to @Spivonomist
Remember those Visigoths popularly credited with the demise of Imperial Rome? The Umayyad Caliphate subjugated those dudes. /6
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Replying to @Spivonomist
The Emirate of Cordoba spread clear up to the border of the Carolingian Empire, up near the Pyrenees. /7
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Replying to @Spivonomist
The Pyrenees, you may recall, is home to the Basque people. Linguistic and archaeological evidence show they've lived there for perhaps /8
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Replying to @Spivonomist
Seven thousand years. Put another way, they've lived there since before the arrival of farming. Certainly before Indo-Europeans. /9
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Replying to @Spivonomist
I'm just old enough to be of an age where "Basque" is an epithet, like "IRA" or "Hamas". Basque separatists didn't shy from violence, /10
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Replying to @Spivonomist
Particularly during the formative years of my youth. However, media coverage was overshadowed by IRA, Weather Underground & al /11
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Replying to @Spivonomist
Still, imagine for a moment that you can trace your lineage and land to Neo- or Mesolithic foragers/farmers. Imagine. Take your time. /12
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Replying to @Spivonomist
If it helps, know that some traditional Basques dwell in literal caves. As in holes in a mountain face adapted for habitation. /13
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in a hole in the ground there lived a Basque
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