Reconquista

For other uses, see Reconquista (Disambiguation).

The fall of Visigothic Iberia

In the 5th century AD, Visigoths or western Goths allied with Rome to keep other barbarians away from the limes or Roman border. These tribes received Roman Hispania (the Iberian Peninsula) and Southern Gaul as foedus, a payment for their loyalty. However, once the last emperor was deposed by Odoacer (476 AD), the Visigoths took Hispania as their kingdom.

Related Topics:
Visigoths - Rome - Hispania - Iberian Peninsula - Gaul - Foedus - Last emperor - Odoacer - 476

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After several centuries (most of them marked by civil wars) the last elected king, Rodrigo, was betrayed by the count of Ceuta, Julian, who called for the Muslims (or Moors) to enter Hispania. This was caused by religious reasons, as Julian, like most of the Spanish people at the time, was an Unitarian Christian (Arianism) and disagreed with the Visigoth elite conversion to Trinitarian Catholicism. The rebels considered Islam a related religion as opposed to "heretic" Trinitariasm.

Related Topics:
Rodrigo - Ceuta - Muslim - Moors - Arianism - Islam

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During the battle of Guadalete in 711, king Rodrigo lost his life. His left wing turned against him, as it was led by bishop Oppas, a collaborationist of the moors and member of other royal faction. By the end of the battle the whole kingdom fell, and the throne was left empty, for the Moors did not allow the Oppas? faction to regain it. One of the few survivors was Pelayo, a noble in charge of the royal guard (Comes Spatharius).

Related Topics:
Battle of Guadalete - 711 - Pelayo

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For three years, Moors ran all over Hispania gaining city by city, helped by the native population. This rapid conquest can only be understood as a continuation of the civil wars that had afflicted the Peninsula for centuries.

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The Berber soldiers under Tariq and Muza continued conquering on the other side of the Pyrenees, until they were defeated by Charles Martel in 732 in the Battle of Tours. The Moors then settled in the Iberian Peninsula, installing an emirate dependent on Damascus? Caliph. Hispano-Romans (the local population) kept their properties and social status, as the change of governors did not suppose a change in current life, which stayed the same since the Roman times. By 714, the Moors had replaced the Visigoths in Hispania?s government. The local administration was not changed and counties were respected. There was no religious repression, just an extra tax for Christians (which led to mass conversions). The different conquerors received different portions of land. Berbers stayed in the poor lands of the northern plateau and southwest Spain. Syrians and Arabs received the rich valleys and cities.

Related Topics:
Berber - Tariq - Muza - Pyrenees - Charles Martel - 732 - Battle of Tours - Emirate - Damascus - Caliph - 714

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By 714, the Iberian Peninsula changed from Hispania to Al-Andalus.

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