a family of Mahometan princes who reigned in Africa and in Spain in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. This appellation was derived from the sect of Al-Morabothin, which in Arabic signifies 'dedicated to the service of God.' The sect which assumed this title arose about the middle of the eleventh century, among a poor ignorant tribe of Berbers inhabiting the Mountains of Atlas on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, and at a time when all Western Africa was in the possession of strangers, and a prey to anarchy. At the request of a sheik of Lamtouna, who had acquired some taste for learning by travelling in the East, Abdallah-ben-Yazim, an Arabian of extraordinary erudition, consented to instruct the people in the truths of Islam. The enthusiasm of Abdallah created a like zeal in the hearts of his ignorant hearers. All the chief persons were filled with admiration at his wisdom; and by the energy and novelty of his discourses he so inflamed the minds of his disciples, that they compelled those whom persuasion could not move to embrace the new religion. Thus Abdallah found himself at the head of a numerous sect, who soon began to regard him as their leader, both in temporal and spiritual matters. A wide field was opened to his ambition; and by fostering the fanatical zeal of his adherents, he spread the terror of his arms far and wide. Under the name of Almorabothin or Almoravides, they overran the country of Daza, lying between the desert of Sabara and the ancient Getulia; and ultimately extended their conquests from the shores of the Mediterranean to the frontiers of Nigrizia. This extraordinary man died on the field of battle in the year 1058. He was succeeded by Abou-Bekrben-Omar, a man whose abilities were scarcely equal to the difficulties of the position in which he was placed. The commencement of his career, indeed, was prosperous; for he seized upon the province of Fez, conquered Mequinez and Lewata, and founded the city of Marocco; but, when an insurrection among the Berbers required his presence in Atlas, he had the imprudence to entrust the government to the ambitious Yuseff-ben-Taxefien, a person whose abilities were superior to his own; and on his return he accordingly found himself supplanted by his rival. Yuseff possessed every requisite of a conqueror and a legislator; and when he was firmly established in power, he resolved to turn his arms against Spain. He passed the straits, and after receiving reinforcements from all the emirs who had partitioned among themselves the empire of the Omniades, he marched against Alonso VI., the most potent prince in Christendom. They met in the plains of Zalaca, and Alonso was defeated with terrible slaughter. The news of Yuseff's success induced many of the Arabs of Spain to enlist under his victorious banner. He then attacked Mohammed, king of Andalusia; and after a protracted siege he became master of Seville. This conquest was followed by the subjugation of Almeria, Denia, Xativa, and Valencia. The acquisition of the Balearic Isles was the completion of this vast empire, which extended from the Ebro and the Tagus to the frontiers of Soudan. Although Morocco was his capital, he frequently visited his Spanish dominions; and on the last occasion, having assembled the governors of the provinces at Cordova, he appointed Ali, the youngest of his sons, as his successor. He then returned to Marocco, where he died at a very advanced age, A.D. 1106 (of the Hegira 500), after a reign of forty years.

Few kings have received so noble a heritage as that to which Ali succeeded. The first years of his reign were prosperous, though disturbed by the Almohedes, who were preparing the way for the destruction of the Almoravides. Ali was at last obliged to recall from Spain his son Taxefien, who was using his utmost endeavours to oppose the victorious career of Alonso of Aragon, surnamed the Fighter. But the valour of Taxefien was of little avail against the rising power of the Almohedes: disaster followed disaster; and when, in 1143, he succeeded to the throne, but a moiety of the kingdom remained. It was in vain that he received succours from Spain, the troops from that soft climate being little fitted for service in the wild regions of Atlas. Driven from Tlemecen, he sought refuge in Oran; but Abdelmoumen appeared before its walls, and by threats so intimidated the inhabitants that Taxefien was compelled to provide for his safety by flight. Concealed by the darkness of night he escaped on horseback, with his favourite wife behind him; but being closely pursued, he urged his horse over a preci- pice, and with his wife was dashed to pieces. Such was the end of this prince; and with him expired the domination of the Almoravides; for although they still remained in possession of the city of Morocco, their power was completely broken. Ishak-Ibrahim, the son of Taxefien was taken and put to death at Alcazar in 1146, on the surrender of Morocco by treachery, after a siege which was attended with all the horrors of famine and disease; and with him the dynasty of the Almoravides became extinct. (For the history of the Arabians in Spain, see the works of Cortes, Cordoune, Conde, Domay, St Hilaire, and D'Herbelot.)