The Moorish invasion of Iberia (711–718) commenced when the Moors, the Muslim inhabitants of North and West Africa, invaded Visigothic Christian Hispania (Portugal and Spain) in the year 711 CE. Under the authority of the caliph at Damascus, and led by the Berber general Tariq ibn Ziyad, they landed at Gibraltar on April 30 and worked their way northward. Tariq's forces were joined the next year by those of his superior, the Emir Musa ibn Nusair. During the eight-year campaign most of the Iberian Peninsula was brought under Muslim occupation save for small areas in the northwest (Asturias) and largely Basque regions in the Pyrenees. This territory, under the Arabic name al-Andalus, became part of the expanding Umayyad empire. Copyrighted Image Photo courtesy of Wayne B. Chandler Moorish Ambassador to Queen Elizabeth I The Moors were the medieval Muslim inhabitants of al-Andalus (the Iberian Peninsula including the present day Spain and Portugal) and the Maghreb and western Africa, whose culture is often called Moorish. ... The Visigoths were one of two main branches of the Goths, the Ostrogoths being the other. ... A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ. ... Roman theater at Mérida; the statues are replicas Hispania was the name given by the Romans to the whole of the Iberian Peninsula (modern Portugal, Spain, Andorra and Gibraltar) and to two provinces created there in the period of the Roman Republic: Hispania Citerior and Hispania Ulterior. ... See also: phone number 711. ... The Common Era (CE), sometimes known as the Christian Era or Current Era, is the period of measured time beginning with the year 1 (the traditional but probably erroneous birthdate of Jesus) to the present. ... Caliph is the term or title for the Islamic leader of the Ummah, or community of Islam. ... Damascus by night, pictured from Jabal Qasioun; the green spots are minarets Damascus (Arabic: ‎ translit: Also commonly: الشام ash-Shām) is the capital and largest city of Syria. ... The Berbers (also called Imazighen, free men, singular Amazigh) are an ethnic group indigenous to Northwest Africa, speaking the Berber languages of the Afroasiatic family. ... General is a high military rank, used by nearly every country in the world. ... Tariq ibn Ziyad (d. ... April 30 is the 120th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (121st in leap years), with 245 days remaining, as the last day in April. ... Entrance to the emirs palace in Bukhara. ... Musa bin Nusair (640 - 716) was a Yemeni Muslim governor and general under the Umayyads. ... The Iberian Peninsula, or Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe. ... A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم) is an adherent of Islam. ... Capital Oviedo Area  â€“ Total  â€“ % of Spain Ranked 10th  10 604 km²  2,1% Population  â€“ Total (2005)  â€“ % of Spain  â€“ Density Ranked 13th  1 076 635  2,4%  101,53/km² Demonym  â€“ English  â€“ Asturian  â€“ Spanish  asturian  asturianu  asturiano Statute of Autonomy January 11, 1982 Parliamentary representation  â€“ Congress seats  â€“ Senate seats  8  2... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Central Pyrenees. ... The Arab world The Arab world ( العالم العربي Al-Alam Al-Arabi) consists of twenty-two countries stretching from Mauritania in the west to Oman in the east. ... Al-Andalus is the Arabic name given the Iberian Peninsula by its Muslim conquerors; it refers to both the Caliphate proper and the general period of Muslim rule (711–1492). ... The Courtyard of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, one of the grandest architectural legacies of the Umayyads. ...

The invaders subsequently attempted to move northeast across the Pyrenees but were defeated by the Frank Charles Martel at the Battle of Tours in 732. Meanwhile, the Christian Reconquista or reconquest of Iberia became established with Pelayo of Asturias' victory at the Battle of Covadonga in 722. Look up Frank, frank in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For the 13th century titular King of Hungary, see Charles Martel dAnjou. ... Combatants Franks Umayyad Caliphate Commanders Charles Martel Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi Abd er Rahman† Strength 15,000-75,000 60,000-400,000 Casualties about 1500 unknown, but reported massive, notably Emir Abd er Rahman 1. ... Events October 10 - Battle of Tours: Near Poitiers, France, leader of the Franks Charles Martel and his men, defeat a large army of Moors, stopping the Muslims from spreading into Western Europe. ... The Reconquista (Reconquest) refers to the liberation of the Christian Iberian Peninsula from Muslim invaders, taking place between 718 and 1492. ... Pelayo (in Spanish) or Pelágio (in Portuguese) (690–737) was the first King of Asturias, ruling from 718 until his death. ... The Battle of Covadonga was the first major victory by a Christian military force in Iberia following the Islamic Moors conquest of that country in 711. ... Events 3 January - Kinich Ahkal Mo Naab III takes throne of Maya state of Palenque Battle of Covadonga: First victory of a Christian army over a Muslim army in Spain (probable date) War between Wessex and Sussex Births Deaths Empress Gemmei of Japan Categories: 722 ...

Precipitating events

With the rise of Roderic to the throne of the Visigoths in Hispania, and with the subsequent death in 710 CE of the previous king, Wittiza, in captivity, the relatives and partisans of the latter had fled to Ceuta (Septa), the Pillar of Hercules in North Africa on the northern shore of the Maghreb. In Ceuta, Visigothic rivals of Roderic gathered along with Arians and Jews fleeing forced conversions at the hands of the Catholic bishops who controlled the Visigothic monarchy. Roderic (Roderick; Rodrigo in Spanish and Portuguese, see Rurik for etymology. ... // Events End of the Asuka period, the second and last part of the Yamato period and beginning of the Nara period in Japan. ... Wittiza (Witiza) was son of Ergica, king of the Visigoths in Hispania, and ruled jointly with him from 693 to 701 CE. In the latter year Ergica died and Wittiza became sole ruler. ... Area  â€“ Total   28 km² Population  â€“ Total (2005)  â€“ Density  75,276  2688. ... Pillars of Hercules - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...  Northern Africa (UN subregion)  geographic, including above North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent. ... Marrakesh, Morocco, in front of Atlas Mountains in Maghreb The Maghreb (المغرب العربي ; also rendered Maghrib (or rarely Moghreb), meaning western in Arabic, is the region of Africa north of the Sahara Desert and west of the Nile — specifically, coinciding with the Atlas Mountains. ... This article is about theological views like those of Arius. ... A bishop is an ordained member of the Christian clergy who, in certain Christian churches, holds a position of authority. ... Places where monarchies maintain rule appear in blue. ...

The count of Ceuta was one Julian, who the Muslims called Ilyan. Though he may have technically been Roderic's vassal, Julian was also a capable negotiator with the Muslim conquerors of North Africa—something he needed to be. With Musa ibn Nusair having taken control of the surrounding area of the Maghreb—establishing his governor, Tariq ibn Ziyad, at Tangier with a Moorish army of 1,700 men—Julian was vulnerable. With the rise of Roderic to the throne of the Visigoths in Hispania, and with the death in 710 CE of the previous king, Wittiza, the relatives and partisans of the latter fled to Ceuta (Septa), the Pillar of Hercules in North Africa on the northern shore of the Maghreb. ... A Muslim is a believer in or follower of Islam. ... A vassal or liege, in the terminology that both preceded and accompanied the feudalism of medieval Europe, is one who enters into mutual obligations with a lord, usually of military support and mutual protection, in exchange for certain guarantees, which came to include the terrain held as a fief. ... The Islamic conquest of North Africa began early in the century of rapid Arab and Islamic expansion following the death of Mohammed in 632 CE. By 640 the Arabs controlled Mesopotamia, had invaded Armenia, and were concluding their conquest of Byzantine Syria. ... Tangier, Morocco Tangier (Tanja طنچة in Berber and Arabic, Tánger in Spanish, and Tanger in French), is a city of northern Morocco with a population of 669,685 (2004 census). ... Copyrighted Image Photo courtesy of Wayne B. Chandler Moorish Ambassador to Queen Elizabeth I The Moors were the medieval Muslim inhabitants of al-Andalus (the Iberian Peninsula including the present day Spain and Portugal) and the Maghreb and western Africa, whose culture is often called Moorish. ...

But Julian and his family were also on increasingly good terms with the family of Wittiza. Both sought power in the Visgothic kingdom. Indeed, a number of historians conclude that a Visigothic civil war was in progress. But because King Roderic was too powerful for the rivals to topple alone, Julian sought the help of Musa. This is a list of historians. ... A civil war is a war in which parties within the same culture, society or nationality fight for political power or control of an area. ...

Musa, however, was initially skeptical of the venture, perhaps fearing a Visigothic trap but most likely doubtful that much could be gained in return for the probable risks from such an alliance. So, in July 710, after securing approval from Caliph Walid in Damascus, Musa authorized a tiny raid to test the southern coastline of Iberia. When that probe, led by Tarif ibn Malluk, proved satisfactory, plans were made for a larger-scale action. Caliph is the term or title for the Islamic leader of the Ummah, or community of Islam. ... Al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik (Arabic: ) or Al-Walid I (668 - 715) was an Umayyad caliph who ruled from 705 - 715. ... Damascus by night, pictured from Jabal Qasioun; the green spots are minarets Damascus (Arabic: ‎ translit: Also commonly: الشام ash-Shām) is the capital and largest city of Syria. ... Tarif ibn Malluk was a Berber chief who in 710, by order of Musa ibn Nusayr, directed the first Muslim expedition to the Iberian Peninsula. ...

As to the intended nature of that action, historical opinion takes three directions: (1) that a suplimentary force was sent to aid one side in a civil war in the hope of plunder and a future alliance, (2) that a reconnaissance force was sent to test the military strength of the Visigothic kingdom, (3) that an initial invasion force was sent as the first wave of a total invasion. Looting (which derives via the Hindi lut from Sanskrit lunt, to rob) is the indiscriminate taking of goods by force as part of a military or political victory, or during a catastrophy or riot, such as during war [1], natural disaster [2], rioting [3], or terrorist attack [4]. The term... An alliance can be: an agreement between two parties, made in order to advance common goals and to secure common interests. ... Mixed reconnaissance patrol of the Polish Home Army and the Soviet Red Army during Operation Tempest, 1944 Reconnaissance is the military term for the active gathering of information about an enemy, or other conditions, by physical observation. ... The 1944 Invasion of Normandy An invasion is a military action consisting of armed forces of one geo-political entity entering territory controlled by another such entity, often resulting in the invading power occupying the area, whether briefly or for a long period, and sometimes permanently. ... The 1944 Invasion of Normandy An invasion is a military action consisting of armed forces of one geo-political entity entering territory controlled by another such entity, often resulting in the invading power occupying the area, whether briefly or for a long period, and sometimes permanently. ...

Wherever the truth may lie as to Musa's motives, the action commenced in the spring of 711. At that time Roderic was campaigning against the Basques and Franks near the north Iberian town of Pamplona. So, sailing by night and keeping inconspicuous, Tariq crossed the Strait of Hercules on April 30 with some 1,700 men. Ibn Abd-el-Hakem reports that "the people of Andalus did not observe them, thinking that the vessels crossing and recrossing were similar to the trading vessels which for their benefit plied backwards and forwards." Tariq and his men marched up as far as Cartagena on the coast. See also: phone number 711. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Pamplona (Basque: Irunea / Iruñea / Iruña) is the capital city of Navarre, Spain. ... The Strait of Gibraltar as seen from space. ... Ibn Abd-el-Hakem (d. ... For other places of the same name, see Cartagena. ...

Roderic marched his forces south and met Tariq's men at the Battle of the Rio Barbate or the Battle of Guadalete in the Province of Cadiz. The battle occurred on July 19, 711. Roderic's army of around 25,000 men was defeated by Tariq's force of approximately 7,000, largely due to a reversal of fortune when the wings commanded by Roderic's relatives Sisbert and Osbert deserted or switched sides. Combatants Visigoths Muslim forces of the Ummayad Commanders Roderic Tariq ibn Ziyad Strength 2,000-30,000 700-900 Casualties Unknown Unknown The Battle of Guadalete took place July 19, 711, at the Guadalete River (or La Janda Lake) in the southern extreme of the Iberian peninsula. ... Cádiz province Cádiz is a province of southern Spain, in the southwestern part of the autonomous community of Andalusia. ... July 19 is the 200th day (201st in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 165 days remaining. ...

Roderic is believed to have died in the battle, though his exact fate is unknown. The great majority of Roderic's court was also believed killed. Regardless of details, what seems clear is that this defeat left the Visigoths disorganized and leaderless as the survivors fled north to Écija near Seville. The resulting power vacuum, which may have caught Tariq completely by surprise, helped make possible the Moorish invasion of Iberia. A royal or noble court, as an instrument of government broader than a court of justice, comprises an extended household centered on a patron whose rule may govern law or be governed by it. ... Écija is a city belonging to the province of Seville, Spain. ... Sevilla province Sevilla is a province of southern Spain, in the western part of the autonomous community of Andalusia. ...

Moorish invasion of Iberia

• 6th century - Visigothic noblemen had grown into territorial lords.
• 612 - Royal decree issued enjoining all Jews to be baptized under penalty of banishment and confiscation of property.
• 710 - Tarif ibn Malluk with 400 men and 100 horses landed on the tiny peninsula of the European continent now called isle of Tarifa after his name.
• 711 - Musa ibn Nusair, Governor of North Africa, dispatched his Berber freedman Tariq ibn Ziyad into the Iberian peninsula encouraged by the success of Tarif and the dynastic trouble in the Visigoth Kingdom of Hispania.
• July 19, 711 - Tariq ibn Ziyad with 7000 men and Julian Count of Ceuta with 12000 men confronted King Roderick with 25000 men by the Barbate River called now (Salado) on the shore of the lagoon, Roderick army was utterly routed.
• June 712 - Syrians rushed to Iberia attacking towns and strongholds avoided by Tariq ibn Ziyad.
• February 715 - Musa ibn Nusair Governor of North Africa entered Damascus with the Visigoth kings and princes and for the first time hundreds of western royalty and thousands of European captives were seen offering homage to the commander of the believers In Damascus. Musa the Conqueror of North Africa and Iberia ended up as a beggar in a remote village in Al-Hijaz. His son Abd Al-Aziz was announced first Amir of Andalus and married the widow of King Roderick, Egilona Balthes. Seville became the Capital.
• 717-718 - Lured by the rich treasures of convents and churches of France and encouraged by the internal dissension between the chief officers of the Merovingian court And the dukes of Aquitaine, Al-Hurr ibn Abd Al-Rahman Al-Thaqafi in were the first to cross the Range.
• 719 - Al Samh ibn Malik Al-Khawlani, 4th Amir, transferred the seat of Governor from Seville to Cordova.
• Spring 732 - Emir Abd Al-Rahman ibn Abdullah Al-Ghafiqi advanced through the western Pyrenees crossed it and vanquished Duke Eudes on the banks of the Garonne. Tours was a sort of religious capital for Gaul, The resting-place of the body of St.Matin the apostle of Gaul’s in Tours.
• October 732 - Pavement of Martyrs (Balat Al Shuhada`) Battle Abd Al-Rahman Al-Ghafiqi the Arab leader meet Charles Martel Mayor at Merovingian court. After seven days of waiting anxiously to join the battle Abd Al-Rahman Al-Ghafiqi took the initiative in the attack. Charles army hewed the attackers with their swords among the victims was Abd Al-Rahman Al-Ghafiqi. Under cover of night the Muslim had quietly vanished, and Charles came off Victorious.
• 734-742 - Open revolt from Morocco to Al-Qayrawan spread to the Iberian peninsula. Mudarites and Yemenites agreed on choosing alternately one of their numbers each year to rule the land. Yusuf ibn Abd Al-Rahman Al-Fahri descendant of Uqbah ibn Nafiaa` first Mudarites ruler refused to give turn to the Yemenites candidate and continued to rule for ten years.
• 755 - Advent of the Umayyad Abd Al-Rahman Al Dakhel “Saqr Quraysh“. In late 755 Abd Al-Rahman Al Dakhel landed on the coast of south Granada and was on his way to capture the Emirate.

This Buddhist stela from China, Northern Wei period, was built in the early 6th century. ... The Lords and Barons prove their Nobility by hanging their Banners and exposing their Coats-of-arms at the door of the Lodge of the Heralds. ... Roland pledges his fealty to Charlemagne; from a manuscript of a chanson de geste. ... Events Saint Columbanus moves to Italy to establish the monastery of Bobbio (approximate date). ... // Events End of the Asuka period, the second and last part of the Yamato period and beginning of the Nara period in Japan. ... Europe is conventionally considered one of the seven continents of Earth which, in this case, is more a cultural and political distinction than a physiographic one, leading to various perspectives about Europes borders. ... See also: phone number 711. ... July 19 is the 200th day (201st in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 165 days remaining. ... Events Ansprand succeeds Aripert as king of the Lombards. ... Events August 11 - Germanus is translated from the bishopric of Cyzicus to the Patriarch of Constantinople Umayyad caliph al-Walid I ibn Abd al-Malik succeeded by Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik End of the reign of Empress Gemmei of Japan, she is succeeded by Empress Gensho. ... Damascus by night, pictured from Jabal Qasioun; the green spots are minarets Damascus (Arabic: ‎ translit: Also commonly: الشام ash-Shām) is the capital and largest city of Syria. ... Events March 25 - Leo III usurps the throne of Byzantium August 15 - Muslama begins the Second Arab siege of Constantinople. ... Events Pelayo established the Kingdom of Asturias in the Iberian peninsula (modern day Portugal and Spain). ... Events The church of Nubia transfers its allegiance from the Eastern Orthodox Church to the Coptic Church. ... Spring is one of the four seasons of temperate zones. ... Events October 10 - Battle of Tours: Near Poitiers, France, leader of the Franks Charles Martel and his men, defeat a large army of Moors, stopping the Muslims from spreading into Western Europe. ... Location within France Tours Cathedral: 15th century Flamboyante Gothic west front with Renaissance pinnacles, 1547 Tours Cathedral. ... Events October 10 - Battle of Tours: Near Poitiers, France, leader of the Franks Charles Martel and his men, defeat a large army of Moors, stopping the Muslims from spreading into Western Europe. ... Events Births Deaths Bilge Khan, Gokturk emperor Categories: 734 ... Events Chinese poet Li Po is presented before the emperor and given a position in the Imperial court. ... Events Abd-ar-rahman I lands in Spain, where the next year he will establish a new Umayyad dynasty. ...

For details, see:

• Al-Andalus
• Battle of Guadalete
• History of Portugal
• History of Spain
• Julian
• Moors
• Musa bin Nusair
• Pelayo of Asturias
• Reconquista
• Roderic
• Tariq ibn Ziyad
• Timeline of the Muslim occupation of the Iberian Peninsula
• Timeline of Portuguese history
• The establishment of the monarchy in Portugal

Related articles Al-Andalus is the Arabic name given the Iberian Peninsula by its Muslim conquerors; it refers to both the Caliphate proper and the general period of Muslim rule (711–1492). ... Combatants Visigoths Muslim forces of the Ummayad Commanders Roderic Tariq ibn Ziyad Strength 2,000-30,000 700-900 Casualties Unknown Unknown The Battle of Guadalete took place July 19, 711, at the Guadalete River (or La Janda Lake) in the southern extreme of the Iberian peninsula. ... History of Portugal series Prehistoric Portugal Pre-Roman Portugal Roman Lusitania and Gallaecia Visigoths and Suevi Moorish rule and Reconquista First County of Portugal Kingdom of Galicia and Portugal Second County of Portugal Establishment of the Monarchy Consolidation of the Monarchy 1383–1385 Crisis Discoveries Portuguese Empire 1580 Crisis Iberian... It is traditional (at least, since the 19th century) to start the history of modern Spain with the Visigoth kingdom. ... With the rise of Roderic to the throne of the Visigoths in Hispania, and with the death in 710 CE of the previous king, Wittiza, the relatives and partisans of the latter fled to Ceuta (Septa), the Pillar of Hercules in North Africa on the northern shore of the Maghreb. ... Copyrighted Image Photo courtesy of Wayne B. Chandler Moorish Ambassador to Queen Elizabeth I The Moors were the medieval Muslim inhabitants of al-Andalus (the Iberian Peninsula including the present day Spain and Portugal) and the Maghreb and western Africa, whose culture is often called Moorish. ... Musa bin Nusair (640—716) was a Yemeni Muslim governor and general under the Umayyads. ... Pelayo (in Spanish) or Pelágio (in Portuguese) (690–737) was the first King of Asturias, ruling from 718 until his death. ... The Reconquista (Reconquest) refers to the liberation of the Christian Iberian Peninsula from Muslim invaders, taking place between 718 and 1492. ... Roderic (Roderick; Rodrigo in Spanish and Portuguese, see Rurik for etymology. ... Tariq ibn Ziyad (d. ... // Invasion (710–756) 710 - The Berber General Tariq ibn Ziyad takes Tangier. ... This is a historical timeline of Portugal. ... History of Portugal Series Prehistoric Portugal Pre-Roman Portugal Roman Lusitania and Gallaecia Visigoths and Suevi Moorish rule and Reconquista First County of Portugal Kingdom of Galicia and Portugal Second County of Portugal Establishment of the Monarchy Consolidation of the Monarchy 1383-1385 Crisis Discoveries Portuguese Empire 1580 Crisis Iberian...

• Islamic conquests
• Crusades

Age of the Caliphs The initial Islamic conquests (632-732) began with the death of Muhammad, were followed by a century of rapid Arab and Islamic expansion, and ended with the Battle of Tours—resulting in a vast Islamic empire and area of influence that stretched from India, across the... This article is about historical Crusades . ...

External link

• Edward Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Chapter 51