Among other ill-starred enterprises, he undertook a great
campaign, in conjunction with the king of Morocco, against the kings
of Castile and Portugal, but was defeated in the memorable battle of
Salado, which had nearly proved a death-blow to the Moslem power in
Spain.
Yusef obtained a long truce after this defeat, and now his character
shone forth in its true lustre. He had an excellent memory, and had
stored his mind with science and erudition; his taste was altogether
elegant and refined, and he was accounted the best poet of his time.
Devoting himself to the instruction of his people and the
improvement of their morals and manners, he established schools in all
the villages, with simple and uniform systems of education; he obliged
every hamlet of more than twelve houses to have a mosque, and purified
the ceremonies of religion, and the festivals and popular
amusements, from various abuses and indecorums which had crept into
them. He attended vigilantly to the police of the city, establishing
nocturnal guards and patrols, and superintending all municipal
concerns. His attention was also directed towards finishing the
great architectural works commenced by his predecessors, and
erecting others on his own plans. The Alhambra, which had been founded
by the good Alhamar, was now completed. Yusef constructed the
beautiful Gate of Justice, forming the grand entrance to the fortress,
which he finished in 1348.
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