Question
More than a thousand years before social media made it possible to spread new trends with likes, shares, and comments, a medieval musician became an iconic influencer. His ideas on music, fashion, and food spread across countries and continents.
Basically, this man went viral. How? By camelback!
Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Nafi, better known by his nickname, Ziryab, started as a musician's apprentice in Baghdad. Scholars say it wasn't long before the student outshone his teacher. Like a jealous fairy tale villain, the teacher threatened Ziryab's life if he didn't go far away and never return.
Ziryab fled with his family. He eventually settled in the court of the emir, or ruler, of Córdoba, Spain. He was an instant hit there. As the court's favorite, Ziryab was given an allowance that was 20 times what other court musicians got. He also enjoyed more privileges than the court's most important guests. He was pretty much a rock star. Historians note that he knew ten thousand songs by heart! But he wasn't just famous for his musical skills. Ziryab was also known as a polymath. He was knowledgeable in philosophy, astronomy, geography, and other subjects. His cerebral superpowers made him a popular consultant in political decisions.
Ziryab didn't do things the way they'd always been done. He shook things up by adding a fifth string to the lute, which is similar to the guitar. He founded a music school and trained musicians in new styles of music. His teachings spread, shifting sounds and styles in western Europe and Africa. His influence can still be heard, especially in the music of North Africa and in flamenco, a popular style of Spanish music and dance.
But Wait, There's More!
On top of everything else, Ziryab was a father of 10 children! You'd think all of that would keep him busy enough. No. Ziryab made time to overhaul people's fashion sense, personal care, and table manners, too.
Ziryab invented new dyes and insisted that clothing should match the seasons. He recommended dark colors and heavy fabrics for fall and winter, airy fabrics and light and bright colors in spring and summer. He introduced striped and even transparent fabric. A medieval fashion industry was born! He didn't stop at clothes, either. Ziryab popularized new short hairstyles for men and women. And he's the one who made bangs a big thing.
Ziryab also introduced a mixture that reduced armpit odor and came up with a toothpaste to eliminate stinky breath. So we have him (and a few others) to thank for those things, too!
Speaking of thanks, fans of fancy foods can thank Ziryab for his trendsetting skills. Medieval mealtimes could be pretty rowdy. They were a mixed-up mess of meats and sweets. Ziryab introduced the idea of a three-course meal with soup, a main course, and dessert. He popularized the use of tablecloths and replaced heavy metal cups with glassware. He modeled manners and encouraged polite conversation to bring order to mealtimes.
Like Ziryab's musical influences, the fashion and refinement of this cultural conqueror traveled across Europe and North Africa. His ideas and inventions were carried by the camel caravans of traders and explorers. That's how they rolled in the Middle Ages. Imagine what this medieval influencer could have done with a YouTube channel!
QUESTION 1
1 / 8
What is this Article mainly about?
Ziryab introduced the court of Córdoba, Spain, to the idea of a three-course meal with soup, a main course, and dessert.
Ziryab was a medieval musician who started as a musician's apprentice in Baghdad and soon outshone his teacher.
Ziryab founded a school that trained musicians in new styles of music, and his influence can still be heard in some music today.
Ziryab was a medieval musician who became a great influencer in music, fashion, and food across continents.
Basically, this man went viral. How? By camelback!
Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Nafi, better known by his nickname, Ziryab, started as a musician's apprentice in Baghdad. Scholars say it wasn't long before the student outshone his teacher. Like a jealous fairy tale villain, the teacher threatened Ziryab's life if he didn't go far away and never return.
Ziryab fled with his family. He eventually settled in the court of the emir, or ruler, of Córdoba, Spain. He was an instant hit there. As the court's favorite, Ziryab was given an allowance that was 20 times what other court musicians got. He also enjoyed more privileges than the court's most important guests. He was pretty much a rock star. Historians note that he knew ten thousand songs by heart! But he wasn't just famous for his musical skills. Ziryab was also known as a polymath. He was knowledgeable in philosophy, astronomy, geography, and other subjects. His cerebral superpowers made him a popular consultant in political decisions.
Ziryab didn't do things the way they'd always been done. He shook things up by adding a fifth string to the lute, which is similar to the guitar. He founded a music school and trained musicians in new styles of music. His teachings spread, shifting sounds and styles in western Europe and Africa. His influence can still be heard, especially in the music of North Africa and in flamenco, a popular style of Spanish music and dance.
But Wait, There's More!
On top of everything else, Ziryab was a father of 10 children! You'd think all of that would keep him busy enough. No. Ziryab made time to overhaul people's fashion sense, personal care, and table manners, too.
Ziryab invented new dyes and insisted that clothing should match the seasons. He recommended dark colors and heavy fabrics for fall and winter, airy fabrics and light and bright colors in spring and summer. He introduced striped and even transparent fabric. A medieval fashion industry was born! He didn't stop at clothes, either. Ziryab popularized new short hairstyles for men and women. And he's the one who made bangs a big thing.
Ziryab also introduced a mixture that reduced armpit odor and came up with a toothpaste to eliminate stinky breath. So we have him (and a few others) to thank for those things, too!
Speaking of thanks, fans of fancy foods can thank Ziryab for his trendsetting skills. Medieval mealtimes could be pretty rowdy. They were a mixed-up mess of meats and sweets. Ziryab introduced the idea of a three-course meal with soup, a main course, and dessert. He popularized the use of tablecloths and replaced heavy metal cups with glassware. He modeled manners and encouraged polite conversation to bring order to mealtimes.
Like Ziryab's musical influences, the fashion and refinement of this cultural conqueror traveled across Europe and North Africa. His ideas and inventions were carried by the camel caravans of traders and explorers. That's how they rolled in the Middle Ages. Imagine what this medieval influencer could have done with a YouTube channel!
QUESTION 1
1 / 8
What is this Article mainly about?
Ziryab introduced the court of Córdoba, Spain, to the idea of a three-course meal with soup, a main course, and dessert.
Ziryab was a medieval musician who started as a musician's apprentice in Baghdad and soon outshone his teacher.
Ziryab founded a school that trained musicians in new styles of music, and his influence can still be heard in some music today.
Ziryab was a medieval musician who became a great influencer in music, fashion, and food across continents.
Answers
Answered by
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The article is mainly about:
**Ziryab was a medieval musician who became a great influencer in music, fashion, and food across continents.**
This option encompasses his broad impact in various areas beyond just music, highlighting his influence on fashion and culinary customs as well.
**Ziryab was a medieval musician who became a great influencer in music, fashion, and food across continents.**
This option encompasses his broad impact in various areas beyond just music, highlighting his influence on fashion and culinary customs as well.
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