Characterization of the cultural policy of Caliph al- Ḥakam II through the orientation of intellectuals

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to characterize, through quantitative analysis, the political and cultural position of the caliph of al-Andalus, al-Ḥakam II (915-976), through the exercise of office and dedication to various subjects by the intellectuals of the time. The framework of cultural policy integrated into the program of legitimization of the Andalusian caliphate is seen as the necessary context. To this end, records corresponding to the group of scholars linked to the era of the aforementioned caliph have been extracted from two highly relevant databases. The establishment of several groups of intellectuals according to their chronology makes it possible to compare them and observe possible trends over time. The analysis of the positions held by these scholars and the subjects they studied allows conclusions to be drawn about the political effort devoted to specific areas of knowledge and institutional functions, which makes it possible to characterize the situation.