The Jewish Golden Age in Spain began shortly after the Muslim conquest in the 8th century. Its end date is debated, with some saying that it ended with the persecution of Jews by the Almohad Caliphate in the 1100s, and others saying it lasted until the Christian Reconquista resulted in the expulsion of Jews by the 15th century. During this period, Jews living in what was collectively called al-Andalus experienced relative tolerance, prosperity, and socio-cultural integration within the broader Muslim society that had come to dominate the region. Owing to this environment, Jewish culture flourished and several Jews rose to prominence in scholarly and religious spheres, including Maimonides, Hasdai ben Shaprut, Shmuel ha-Nagid, Solomon ben Judah, and Judah ha-Levi. The Jewish community of al-Andalus also contributed greatly to and benefited from the Muslim world's advancements in astronomy, medicine, and science.