Moorish invasion of Iberia

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. The conquered territory, under the Arabic name al-Andalus, became part of the expanding Umayyad empire.

The invaders subsequently moved northeast across the Pyrenees but were defeated by the Frank Charles Martel at the Battle of Tours in 732. They retained some French territory until 759. Meanwhile, the Christian Reconquista or reconquest of Iberia became established with Pelayo of Asturias victory at the Battle of Covadonga in 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.

The count of Ceuta was one Julian, whom 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.

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.

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 perhaps 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.

As to the intended nature of that action, historical opinion takes three directions: (1) that a supplementary 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.

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.

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.

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.