The Social scourge of Wine Drinking in Andalusian Society during the Nasrid Era "635-897 AH / 1238-1492 AD"

Abstract

This research examines the scourge of alcohol consumption in Andalusian society during the Nasrid era (635-897 AH / 1238-1492 AD). It comprises five main sections that address a central question: What drove certain segments of society to drink alcohol during that period? Who were these groups? What were the main regions of alcohol production and consumption? And how did the state combat this scourge? The study aims to document this scourge and related issues during the period under investigation, employing a historical research methodology that begins with defining the phenomenon, delving into its causes, gathering information from various sources and references, and interpreting it to arrive at conclusions and recommendations. The research is divided into five main sections, the first of which is "Alcohol: Linguistic and Technical Definitions," exploring its concept, types, and the reasons for its spread. The second section focuses on the "afflicted" class of elites—sultans, princes, ambassadors, judges, and scholars—who were plagued by the scourge of alcohol consumption. The third section examines "wine and the poets of the Kingdom of Granada," the fourth "wine-producing regions and places where it was consumed," and the fifth "efforts to combat the scourge of alcohol consumption." Through her study of this topic, the researcher arrived at several important conclusions, most notably the influence of political circumstances on some individuals' inclination towards drinking alcohol, as well as their being influenced by their Christian neighbors. She also found that wine-producing regions were the most common places for the consumption of alcohol, and that the state and its officials exerted considerable effort to combat the scourge of alcohol consumption.