2020 - Once upon a time in Islamic Gibraltar
. . . the work of Al-Makkarí is entirely composed of passages transcribed or abridged from more ancient historians, (the author himself seldom speaking in his own words,) and chronologically arranged.
It means, of course, that much of Al-Makkarí will repeat what I have already written in my previous chapters. I will try my best to avoid this . . .
The quotes below are from the translation by Pascual de Gayangos mentioned above.
Introducing GibraltarAnother of the districts which acknowledge the jurisdiction of Seville is that of Yabal-Tariq (Gibraltar), which stands as a lasting testimonial of the conquest of Andalus by the Moslems. This mountain was called after Tariq (Ibn Ziyad) , freedman of Musa ibn Nusayr, who was the first Moslem who landed on it; it is also called Jebalu-l-fatah (Yabal al-Fath) (the mountain of the entrance or victory).
Yabal al-Fath (19th century British School)
The sea surrounds the mountain of Gibraltar on almost every side, so as to make it look like a watch-tower erected in the midst of the sea, and facing Algeciras. A certain Granadian poet alludes to Gibraltar in the following distich:
“The mountain of Tariq is like a beacon spreading its rays over the seas,rising far above the neighbouring mountains:One would say that its face almost reaches the sky,and that its eyes are watching the stars in the celestial tracts.”And this is by no means exaggerated, for when travellers approach it, coming from Ceuta, they see it at a distance shining as bright as a lamp.
“I sailed once,” says Abu al-hasan Ibn Musa Ibn Said, “with my father from Ceuta to Gibraltar, and had an opportunity of verifying the truth of this assertion. When we came near the coast my father told me to look in the direction of Gibraltar; I did so, and saw the whole mountain shining as if it were on fire” . . . p60
Notes: The 13th century Abu al-hasan Ibn Musa was a geographer and an important collector of the poetry of al-Andalus
Introducing Musa and TariqThis Book contains an account of the conquest of Andalus by the Moslems, commanded by Musa Ibn Nusayr and his freedman Tariq ibn Ziyad, and how that country became the arena wherein their noble steeds raced, and the halting-place wherein their camels laid down their burden and grazed, together with much useful and well selected information, drawn from various sources, and the accounts of historians compared together. p250
Notes - Musa Ibn Nusayr was made governor of Ifriqiya in 698. He was responsible for completing the conquest of North Africa. Ifriqiya encompassed Tunisia, western Libya and eastern Algeria – in other words north eastern Africa generally
Introducing Tarif. . . an enmity broke out between Ludherick (Roderic), King of the Goths, and the Lord of Ceuta, a city situate at the mouth of the Babru-z-zokak (strait of Gibraltar), and became the cause of the conquest of Andalus by the arms of Tarif and Tariq, and their master Musa Ibn Nusayr, (the mercy of God be upon them all!) p250
Introducing Julian
Al-hijari (Al-Hiyari), Ibn Hayyan, and other writers, agree in saying that the first man who entered Andalus with hostile intentions and deeds was Tarif, the Berber, a freedman of Musa Ibn Nossyr, the same who afterwards gave his name to the Island of Tarifa, situate on the strait. He was helped in that expedition by Ilyan (Julian) the Christian, Lord of Ceuta, who had conceived some animosity towards Roderic, King of Andalus. p250
Tarif raids “Tarifa”
The number of troops engaged in this first expedition amounted only to one hundred horsemen and four hundred foot. They crossed the strait in four vessels, landed on the opposite shore in the month of Ramadhan of the year ninety-one (July, A. n. 710), overran the country, and returned loaded with spoil. p250/251
Invasion of TariqNo sooner was Musa Ibn Nossyr, then govemor of Africa, appraised of the success of this first expedition . . . he appointed his freedman, Tariq ibn Ziyad, to command another expedition against Andalus, and sent him over in company with Ilyan (Julian), King of Ceuta. The landing of Tárif and Tárik has been differently related; but as it is our intention to recount in detail every one of these events, and we shall therefore have many opportunities to return to the subject. . . p251. . . when he (Musa) perceived that the principal cities along the coast had all been taken, he wrote to his freedman Tariq, who was governor of Tangiers, and ordered him to get himself and troops ready to make an incursion into the opposite land of Andalus. In compliance with this order from his master, Tariq put to sail from the port of Tangiers with twelve thousand of the new converts, and landed at the foot of the mountain which afterwards took his name on Monday, the fifth day of Rejeb, of the year ninety-two. P253
A different version of events. . . contrary appears from the narrative of Al-khozeyni and other historians, who attribute the conquest (of Tangier) to Tariq. They say that, having given to this general the command of an army, he directed him against the nations inhabiting the northern coast of Africa. Tariq marched first against Tangiers, which he took; he then directed his arms against certain districts which acknowledged the sway of the Kings of Andalus, and the capital of which was Ceuta, a strongly fortified city. p253
Gothic Kings Witiza and Roderic
The barbarian chief, named llyan, ruled as sovereign in it: he was a man of great resolution and courage; having been on a former occasion attacked by Musa, he not only bravely withstood the attack, but made a sally at the head of his best troops and obliged that general to raise the siege. Musa then retreated to Tangiers," whence he made frequent incursions into Ilyan’s territory, laying waste the country and destroying the fields, thinking that he would thus reduce them by famine; but this also proved unavailing, for Ghittishah (Witiza) who then reigned in Andalus, sent them reinforcements and provided them by means of his fleet with all sorts of provisions and military stores.
. . . Witiza left sons behind him, but the Goths not being satisfied with them this gave rise to much tumult and agitation, until they decided upon giving the crown to a chief named Roderic, who, although he was not of the royal blood, belonged to one of the principal families of the land . . . p253/254
Ibn Khaldun’s AccountBut let us hear the account of Abd Zeyd Ibn Khaldun.
“Besides their -kingdom of Andalus the Goths had settlements beyond the sea, so that when Musa arrived in Africa they were in possession of large tracts of land along its northern shore. These they were at first enabled to defend on account of their holding Tangiers, which was the key of the straits, and owing also to the narrowness of the sea which separates Andalus from Africa, and which enabled them to send reinforcements wherever they were required, so as to keep those countries in obedience and defend them against the Arabs. A great many of the tribes inhabiting the coast were therefore subject to them." p254/255
“Now in that part of the country which is now called Jebal Ghomarah (the mountains of Gomera) there was a king of the Berbers named llyan, who acknowledged himself a subject of the Gothic monarchs, obeyed their sway, and followed their religion. Africa was governed at the time by Musa Ibn Nusayr, a lieutenant of the Khalif Al-Walid Ibn ’Abd-l-Malek, (Walid I) who resided at Cairwan, then the seat of the African governors. “
“Under that general the Moslem armies subdued the greatest part of Africa and carried the war to the extreme western frontiers, after which they penetrated into the mountain districts about Tangiers, and opened themselves a passage until they reached the mouth of the straits, when King Ilyan, unable to withstand their attacks, surrendered, and submitted himself to the sway of Islam.”
“Musa Ibn Nusayr then appointed his freedman Tariq ibn Ziyad Al-leythi to the government of his new conquests, as well as to the command of all the troops encamped in those districts.” p254/255
Note: According to Ibn Khaldun Julian was a Berber rather than a Visigoth.
The Enmity between Julian and RodericThe author before quoted (Ibn Khaldun) attributes it to a desire on the part of Ilyan of revenging certain injuries he had received in the person of his daughter, who was then staying in the royal palace; since, adds that historian, it was a custom among the Gothic nobles to send their daughters to be brought up and educated at the royal palace, along with the king’s daughters. They say that when Ilyan heard of the outrage committed on the person of his daughter he repaired immediately to court, took her away, and brought her back to Africa.P255
Not satisfied with this, he went to see Tariq, acquainted him with his desire of revenge, engaged him to invade Andalus, and offered to conduct his army through the enemy’s country. Tariq, who wished nothing so much as an occasion of trying the fortune of arms against the neighbouring kingdom, immediately seized on Ilyan’s offer, and, having previously obtained his master’s leave, prepared for the intended expedition.
The Story of Roderic and Julian’s Daughter according to Al-Khozenyi“It was then the custom among the Goths,” says Al-khozeyni,” “for the princes of the royal blood, the great noblemen of the kingdom, and the governors of the provinces, to send to the supreme court at Toledo such among their sons as they chose to be promoted and advanced, and at the same time distinguished by the favour of their sovereign, under whose eye they were trained to all military exercises, and were afterwards appointed to commands in the army. ““In the same manner the daughters were sent to the king’s palace, and educated with his daughters, and when grown up the king would marry them to the young noblemen at his court, according to their fathers’ dignity, and bestow upon them marriage portions.”
“ It happened that in compliance with this custom Ilyan, the Lord of Ceuta, a city then under the sway of King Roderic, and the inhabitants of which also professed the Christian religion, having a daughter, a beautiful and innocent creature, crossed the straits and took her to Toledo, then the court and capital of the kingdom.”
“When Roderic beheld her, he was so much struck with her beauty that he fell desperately in love, and did not hesitate, when persuasion had failed, to obtain by violence the gratification of his wishes.
Julian’s daughter, la Cava or Florinda) (Isidoro_Lozano)
Some time afterwards the girl found the means of secretly acquainting her father with the treatment she had suffered at the hands of Roderic; and it is related that when Ilyan read his daughter's message he fell into a most violent rage, and swore to revenge the injury inflicted by Roderic, exclaiming, ‘By the faith of the Messiah! I will undermine his throne and disturb his dominions, until the whole is overturned and annihilated,’.”
“So, there can be no doubt that the injury done to Ilyan’s daughter was one of the causes of the conquest of Andalus, subordinate to what God Almighty had decreed about it.”
“Ilyan embarked immediately for Andalus, although the inclement season was far advanced, it being then the month of January and the depth of winter, and hastening to Toledo presented himself before the king, who, not expecting him at so unseasonable a time, upbraided him for leaving his post, and addressed him in the following words: ‘What brought thee here? Thou knowest very well that this is neither the time nor the occasion for thy coming to court.’ To which Ilyan answered, excusing himself by saying that his wife was dangerously ill, and desired greatly to see her daughter once more before she died, and had begged and entreated him to fetch her.”
“He then asked Roderic to issue orders that his daughter should be delivered to him, and all her baggage prepared for- immediate departure. Roderic granted his request, not without having previously made the daughter promise that she would keep their intercourse a secret from her father, but the girl preferred her father to the king, and informed the former of his conduct towards her. “
“They say, on the authority of Ilyan himself, that when about to take leave of the king the latter addressed him as follows: ‘O Ilyan! I hope that I shall soon hear of thee, and that thou wilt endeavour to procure for me some of those very swift “shadhankah” (hawks) which are such a source of pleasure and amusement to me, since they chase and hunt the birds and bring them to me; to which Ilyan answered, ‘Doubt not, O King! but that I will soon be back, and, by the faith of the Messiah! I will never feel satisfied until I bring thee such shadhankah as thou never sawest in thy life: meaning by this the Arabs, whom he already thought of bringing against his country. But Roderic did not understand the meaning of his words.”
According to Gayangos in his notes (p513):
This fable, which has found its way into most of the sober histories of Spain, was first introducedby the Monk of Silos, a chronicler of the eleventh century. There can be no doubt that he borrowed it from the Arabs, but it seems hard to believe that it was altogether a tale of their invention. There are facts in it which an Arab could not have invented unless he drew them from Christian sources . . . If Ilyan was Roderick’s vassal . . . or captain of his body-guard . . . there is nothing improbable in his daughter being educated in the royal palace.
As regards Al-Khozenyi or perhaps Al-Jusanya, I am afraid I don't know who Al-Makkari is referring to - Gayangos doesn't know either.
Julian Approaches Musa with a PlanNo sooner did Ilyan find himself safe in Africa than he repaired to the city of Cairwan, where the Arabian governor then held his court, and by his glowing descriptions of the fertility, wealth, and extent of the island of Andalus, by representing his countrymen as divided and weakened by internal divisions, and enervated by their luxurious habits and a long peace, prevailed upon Musa, as we shall presently relate, to send with him some troops under the command of one of his Berber freedmen, who, with the rapidity of the hawk pouncing upon his prey, subdued the whole kingdom, and added new and extensive dominions to those already subject to the sway of Islam. p257
Some historians assign a third cause for the conquest of Andalus ; they say that there was at Toledo a palace built in times of old by a sage king, who, having predicted that Andalus would in times to come be invaded by people from Africa, had placed in one of its rooms a certain magic spell, by means of which the country was to be for ever preserved from foreign invasion. As long as the spell remained untouched Andalus was safe, but when broken (and it was so by Roderic) the ruin of that country became inevitable. This event is thus related by various historians.
Notes: Then follows several lengthy passages which I will regretfully leave out.
It is followed by a description of the “bridge” constructed by Alexander the Great across the Straits – which Al-Makkarí calls the Straits of Ceuta. (p260)
Finally, we return to the legend of the “Padlocked Palace” combined with that of Solomon’s Table. P261/262/263. Al-Makkarí then returns to the main history with Julian visiting Musa.
Julian talks to Musa and Raids al AndalusNo sooner did Ilyan, the Lord of Ceuta, arrive safely in his dominions, than he went to see the Amir Musa Ibn Nusayr, and proposed to him the conquest of Andalus, which he described as a country of great excellence and blessings; he told him that it was a land abounding in productions of all kinds, rich in grain of all sorts, plentiful in waters renowned for their sweetness and clearness; he proceeded afterwards to draw the picture of the inhabitants, whom he affirmed to be enervated by long peace, and destitute of arms.This account awakened the ambition of the Amir, who, after a mature deliberation on the proposition made to him, came to the following agreement with Ilyan, that he should desert the cause which he was then defending and pass over to the Moslems, and that by way of proving his enmity towards his own countrymen, professing the same religion as himself, he should first of all make an incursion into their country.
This Ilyan immediately put into execution, and, collecting some troops in the districts subject to his rule, he embarked in two vessels and landed on the coast of Algeciras whence he overran the country, and after killing and making a number of captives he and his companions retuned safe to Africa, loaded with spoil, on the following day.
Musa asks Al-Walid I for permission to invadeNo sooner did the news of this first expedition, which took place at the close of the year ninety, become known in Africa than a great many Moslems flocked under the banners of Ilyan and trusted him. As for the Amir Musa, he wrote immediately to the Khalif Al-Walid, informing him of what Ilyan proposed to him to undertake against Andalus, and asking his leave to try the conquest, and the answer of the Khalif was conceived in the following terms:“Let the country be first explored by light troops, to overrun it and bring thee news of what it contains; be prudent, and do not allow the Moslems to be lost in an ocean of dangers and horrors.” To which Mfisa replied, “It is not an ocean, but only a narrow channel, whose shores are every where distinct to the eye." “Never mind,” answered Al-Walid; “even if it be so, let the country be first explored.” P264/265
Musa sends Tarif on a Raiding ExpeditionAccordingly, Musa sent a freedman of his, a Berber, whose name was Tarif Abu Zar’ah (Tarik ibn Malik Abu Zar) with four hundred foot and one hundred horsemen, with instructions to make an incursion into Andalus. Tarif and his small army embarked in four vessels, and landed on an island situated opposite to another island close to Andalus, and known by the name of Jezirah Al-khadhra (Al-Yazirat Al Khadra) (the green island), where the Arabs of the present days keep their ships and their naval stores, it being their principal port to cross over to Africa.
In this island, which has since taken the name of Tarif, on account of his landing on it, the Berber general stayed a whole day, until all his men were with him he then moved on and made several inroads into the main land, which produced a rich spoil and several captives, who were so handsome that Musa and his companions had never seen the like of them. This took place in . . . Aug – Sept A.D.710 and when it was made known every one wished to go to Andalus. p265
Abu Zar identified by some Authors as different to TarifThe number of troops that accompanied Tarif in this expedition is not satisfactorily ascertained. Some authors make it amount to one thousand men; others give him only half that number, as above stated. But we must observe that the whole of these accounts are very doubtful, since there are not wanting historians who make Tarif a different person from Abu Zar’ah, (Abu Zar) . . .
“Tarif returned from this expedition loaded with spoil, and bringing a great number of captives; another incursion was made by a Sheikh of the Berbers, whose name was Abu Zar’ah, who landed with one thousand men of his nation on the island of Algeciras, and finding that the inhabitants had deserted the island he set fire to their houses and fields, and burnt also a church 'very much venerated amongst them. He then put to the sword such of its inhabitants as he met, and, making a few prisoners, returned safe to Africa.”
But we believe the former account to be the most credible, since it is confirmed by Ar-razi and other historians, who make these two captains to be one and the same person, and call him Abu Zar’ah Tarif Ibn Malik Al-mughaferi, (Tarif Ibn Malik Abu Zar) for such were his name and patronymic. P265
After the Raids Julian meets again with MusaIlyan went a second time to Musa Ibn Nusayr, and apprised him of the happy result of the inroad he had made in Andalus, as well as that of Tarif Abu Zar’ah, (Tarif) and how they had both been crowned with success. He at the same time instigated him to undertake the conquest of the country more at large: he told him what captives they had brought him, and the good tidings about the fertility and wealth of the land.When Musa heard of it he praised God for the victory he had granted his servants, and strengthened himself in his intention of invading Andalus; to this effect he called a freed slave of his, to whom he had on different occasions intrusted important commands in his armies, and whose name was Tariq ibn Ziyad Ibn Abdillah. P265/266
Describing Tariq(Tariq was) a native of Hamdan, in Persia, although some pretend that he was not a freedman of Musa Ibn Nusayr, but a free-born man of the tribe of Sade,” while others make him a mauli of Lahm. It is even asserted that some of his posterity who lived in Andalus rejected with indignation the supposition of their ancestor having ever been a liberated slave of Musa Ibn Nusayr. Some authors, and they are the greatest number, say that he was a Berber, but, as we intend to form a separate article about Tariq, we shall leave the discussion of this and other points for another place, confining ourselves at present to the relation of the historical events as we find them recorded by the best Andalusian writers. p266
Tariq Invades al AndalusTo this Tariq, therefore, whether a liberated slave of Musa, or a freeman of the tribe of Sadf, the Arabian governor of Africa committed the important trust of conquering the kingdom of Andalus, for which end he gave him the command of an army of seven thousand men, chiefly Berbers and slaves, very few only being genuine Arabs.To accompany and guide Tariq in this expedition Musa again sent Ilyan, (Julian) who provided four vessels from the ports under his command, the only places on the coast where vessels were at that time built. Every thing being got ready, a division of the army crossed that arm of the sea which divides Andalus from Africa, and landed with Tariq at the foot of the mountain which afterwards received his name, on a Saturday, in . . . (July, 711), answering to the month of Agosht (August) and the four vessels were sent back, and crossed and re-crossed until the rest of Tariq’s men were safely put on shore.
It is otherwise said that Tariq landed on the . . . (19th June, 711), in the same year. Another account makes the number of men embarked on this occasion amount to twelve thousand, all but sixteen, a number consisting almost entirely of Berbers, there being but few Arabs amongst them: but the same writer agrees that Ilyan transported this force at various times to the coast of Andalus in merchant vessels, (whence collected it is not known,) and that Tariq was the last man on board. p266
Notes: Gayangos also states in his own notes:
. . . without fear of contradiction . . . the landing of Tariq on the rock of Gibraltar took place on Thursday, the (8th of Reje) (of the year 92) answering to the 30th of April 711.
Al-Makkarí continues.
Opinions of Other AuthorsThe precise date of Tariq’s invasion has been differently stated. Some historians, as Ibnu Khaldrun, content themselves with giving the year . . . (beginning 28th October, 710); others have fixed the month and the day in which this memorable event is supposed to have taken place.Ibnu-l-khattib places it on Monday, five days before the end of Rejeb (25th Rejeb) of the year ninety-two (20th June, 711).Ibnu Hayyan on a Saturday of the month of Sha’ban: others say on the twenty-fourth of Rejeb;Adh-dhobi on the eighth day of the same month. There are not wanting authors who place it at the beginning of the year ninety-three; but those who fix it in ninety-two are most in number. God only knows the truth of the case. p268
Firstly, the dream which Tariq experienced while crossing the Straits in which the Prophet is heard to urge him on and accomplish his mission. p265/266),
And secondly the story of the old woman from Algeciras who foretold that a man with a black mole on his shoulder – such as Tariq had - would subject al-Andalus to his arms.p267
Ibnu Hayyan’s account
(His) account does not materially differ from those of the historians from whom we have quoted. He agrees in saying that Ilyan, Lord of Ceuta, incited Musa Ibn Nusayr to make the conquest of Andalus; and that this he did out of revenge, and moved by the personal enmity and hatred he had conceived against Roderic.
He makes Tariq’s army amount only to seven thousand,” mostly Berbers, which, he says, crossed in four vessels provided by Ilyan. According to his account Tariq landed on a Saturday, in the month of Sha’ban of the year ninety-two, and the vessels that brought him and his men on shore were immediately sent back to Africa, and never ceased going backwards and forwards until the whole of the army was safely landed on the shores of Andalus.
Ibnu Khaldun’s AccountOn the other side, Ibnu Khaldun reckons the army under the orders of Tariq at three hundred Arabs, and ten thousand Berbers. He says that before starting on his expedition Tariq divided his army into two corps, he himself taking the command of one, and placing the other under the immediate orders of Tarif An-aja p267/268
Notes: “Tarif An-aja” is perhaps Tarik ibn Malik Abu Zar.
Tariq, with his men, landed at the foot of the rock now called Jebalu-l-fatah (the mountain of the entrance) (Yabal al-Fath), and which then received his name, and was called Yabal-Tariq (the mountain of Tariq); while his companion Tarif landed on the island afterwards called after him Jezirah-Tarif (the island of Tarif). In order to provide for the security of their respective armies, both generals selected, soon after their landing, a good encampment, which they surrounded with walls and trenches, for no sooner had the news of their landing spread than the armies of the Goths began to march against them from all quarters.
The Goth named Theodomir attacks Tariq. . . no sooner did Tariq set his foot in" Andalus than he was attacked by a Goth named Tudmir (Theodomir), to whom Roderic had intrusted the defence of that frontier. Theodomir, who is the same general who afterwards gave his name to a province of Andalus, called Beleid Tudmir (the country of Theodomir), having tried, although in vain, to stop the impetuous career of Tariq’s men, dispatched immediately a messenger to his master, apprising him how Tariq and his followers had landed in Andalus. He also wrote him a letter, thus conceived: " p268
“This our land has been invaded by people whose name, country, and origin are unknown to me. I cannot even tell thee whence they came, - whether they fell from the skies, or sprang from the earth.”
Roderic gets the news of the Arab Invasion p268/269When this news reached Roderic, who was then in the country of the Bashkans of his kingdom. (Basques), making war in the territory of Banbilonah (Pamplona) where serious disturbances had occurred, he guessed directly that the blow came from Ilyan. Sensible; however, of the importance of this attack made upon his dominions, he left what he had in hand, and, moving towards the south with the whole of his powerful army, arrived in Cordova, which is placed in the centre of Andalus.There he took up his abode in the royal castle, which the Arabs called after him Roderic’s castle, and which we have already described in another part of this book.” In this palace Roderic took up his residence for a few days, to await the arrival of the numerous troops which he had summoned from the different provinces of his kingdom .p268/269
Roderic asks for help from the sons of WitizaThey say that while he was staying in Cordova, he wrote to the sons of Witiza to come and join him against the common enemy; for although it is true, as we have already related, that Roderic had usurped the throne of their father and persecuted the sons, yet he had spared their lives; since these two sons of Witiza are the same who, when Tariq attacked the forces of King Roderic on the plains of Guadalete, near the sea, turned back and deserted their ranks, owing to a promise made them by Tariq to restore them to the throne of their father if they helped him against Roderic.
However, when Roderic arrived in Cordova, the sons of Witiza were busily engaged in some distant province collecting troops to march against the invaders, and he wrote to them to come and join him with their forces, in order to march together against the Arabs; and, cautioning them against the inconvenience and danger of private feuds at that moment, engaged them to join him and attack the Arabs in one mass. P269
The sons of Witiza readily agreed to Roderic’s proposition, and collecting all their forces came to meet him, and encamped not far from the village of Shakandah, on the opposite side of the river, and on the south of the palace of Cordova. There they remained for some time, not daring to enter the capital or to trust Roderic, until at last, having ascertained the truth of the preparations, and seeing the army march out of the city and him with it, they entered Cordova, united their forces to bis, and marched with him against the enemy, although, as will be seen presently, they were already planning the treachery which they afterwards committed.
Others say that the sons of Witiza did not obey the summons sent them by the usurper Roderic; on the contrary, that they joined Tariq with all their forces: but which of these reports is the true one God only knows.
However, it seems to have been ascertained that all the princes of the Goths came to join Roderic in this expedition, although it is equally true that he was deserted by some of his noblemen on the field of battle. But much obscurity prevails in the writings of the historians who have recorded the events of those early times. Even the name of the Gothic monarch at the time of Tariq’s invasion has been spelt in different ways, for we find it written thus, Rudheric, and Ludheric; although the latter is more commonly used. It is also stated that he was a descendant from Isbaadn (Hispan) but this is contrary to the accounts of Ibnu Hayyan and others, who say that he was not of royal blood.
Tariq asks Musa for helpWhen Tariq received the news of the approach of Roderic’s army, which is said to have amounted to nearly one hundred thousand men, provided with all kinds of weapons and military stores, he wrote to Musa for assistance, saying that he had taken Algeciras, a port of Andalus, thus becoming by its possession the master of the passage into that country; that he had subdued its districts as far as the bay; but that Roderic was now advancing against him with a force which it was not in his power to resist, except it was God Almighty’s will that it should be so. p269/270
Musa sends helpMusa, who since Tariq’s departure for this expedition had been employed in building ships, and had by this time collected a great many, sent by them a reinforcement of five thousand Moslems, which, added to the seven thousand of the first expedition, made the whole forces amount to twelve thousand “men, eager for plunder and anxious for battle. Ilyan, Lord of Ceuta, who had become a tributary of the Moslems, was also sent with his army and the people of his states to accompany this expedition, and to guide it through the passes in the country, and gather intelligence for them.
In the meanwhile, Roderic was drawing nearer to the Moslems, with all the forces of the barbarians, their lords, their knights, and their bishops; but the hearts of the great people of the kingdom being against him, they used to see each other frequently, and in their private conversations they uttered their sentiments about Roderic in the following manner:
The Nobles plot against Roderic“This wretch has by force taken possession of the throne to which he is not justly entitled, for not only he does not belong to the royal family, but he was once one of our meanest menial; “we do not know how far he may carry his wicked intentions against us. There is no doubt but that Tariq’s followers do not intend to settle in this country; their only wish is to fill their hands with spoil and then return. Let us then, as soon as the battle is engaged, give way, and leave the usurper alone to fight the strangers, who will soon deliver us from him; and, when they shall be gone, we can place on the throne him who most deserves it.” p270
In these sentiments all agreed, and it was decided that the proposed plan should be put into execution; the two sons of Wittiza, whom Roderic had appointed to the command of the right and left wings of his army, being at the head of the conspiracy, in the hope of gaining the throne of their father.
The Visigothic Nobles offer their support to Tariq p270/271
When the armies drew nearer to each other, the princes began to spin the web of their treason; and for this purpose a messenger was sent by them to Tariq, informing him how Roderic, who had been a mere menial and servant to their father, had, after his death, usurped the throne; that the princes had by no means relinquished their rights, and that they implored protection and security for themselves. They offered to desert, and pass over to Tariq with the troops under their command, on condition that the Arab general would, after subduing the whole of Andalus, secure to them all their father’s possessions, amounting to three thousand valuable and chosen farms, the same that received after this the name of Safaya-l-moltik (the royal portion).
Preparing for the Battle of GuadaleteThis offer Tariq accepted; and, having agreed to the conditions, on the next day the sons of Wittiza deserted the ranks of the Gothic army in the midst of battle, and passed over to Tariq, this being no doubt one of the principal causes of the conquest.Roderic arrived on the banks of the Guadalete (Wadi-Lek) with a formidable army, which most historians compute at one hundred thousand although Ibnu Khaldun makes it amount to forty thousand men only. Roderic brought all his treasures and military stores in carts: he himself came in a litter, placed between two mules, having over his head an awning richly set with pearls, rubies, and emeralds. p271
Tariq addresses his troopsOn the approach of this formidable tempest the Moslems did not lose courage, but prepared to meet their adversary. Tariq assembled his men, comforted them by his words, and after rendering the due praises to the Almighty God, and returning thanks for what had already been accomplished, proceeded to implore his mighty help for the future. He then encouraged the Moslems, and kindled their enthusiasm with the following address.“Whither can you fly, the enemy is in your front, the sea at your back? By Allah! there is no salvation for you but in your courage and perseverance. Consider your situation; here you are on this island like so many orphans cast upon the world; you will soon be met by a powerful enemy, surrounding you on all sides like the infuriated billows of a tempestuous sea, and sending against you his countless warriors, drowned in steel, and provided with every store and description of arms.”
“What can you oppose to them? You have no other weapons than your swords, no provisions but those that you may snatch from the hands of your enemies; you must therefore attack them immediately, or otherwise your wants will increase, the gales of victory may no longer blow in your favour, and perchance the fear that lurks in the hearts of your enemies may be changed into indomitable courage.”
“Banish all fear from your hearts, trust that victory shall be ours, and that the barbarian king will not be able to withstand the shock of our arms. Here he comes to make us the masters of his cities and castles, and to deliver into our hands his countless treasures; and if you only seize the opportunity now presented, it may perhaps be the means of your becoming the owners of them, besides saving yourselves from certain death. Do not think that I impose upon you a task from which I shrink myself, or that I try to conceal from you the dangers attending this our expedition.” p271/272
“No: you have certainly a great deal to encounter, but know that if you only suffer for awhile, you will reap in the end an abundant harvest of pleasures and enjoyments. And do not imagine that while I speak to you, I mean not to act as I speak, for as my interest in this affair is greater, so will my behaviour on this occasion surpass yours. You must have heard numerous accounts of this island, you must know how the Grecian maidens, as handsome as Huris, their necks glittering with innumerable pearls and jewels, their bodies clothed with tunics of costly silks sprinkled with gold, are waiting your arrival, reclining on soft couches in the sumptuous palaces of crowned lords and princes.“
“You know well that the Khalif Abdu-l-malek Ibnu-l-walid has chosen you, like so many heroes, from among the brave; you know that the great lords of this island are willing to make you their sons and brethren by marriage, if you only rush on like so many brave men to the fight, and behave like true champions and valiant knight; you know that the recompenses of God await you if you are prepared to uphold his words, and proclaim his religion in this island; and, lastly, that all the spoil shall be yours, and of such Moslems as may be with you.”
“Bear in mind that God Almighty will select, according to this promise, those that distinguish themselves most among you, and grant them due reward, both in this world and in the future; and know likewise that I shall be the first to set you the example, and to put in practice what I recommend you to do; for it is my intention, on the meeting of the two hosts, to attack the Christian tyrant Roderic and kill him with my own hand, if God be pleased”.
When you see me bearing against him, charge along with me; if I kill him, the victory is ours; if I am killed before I reach him, do not trouble yourselves about me, but fight as if I were still alive and among you, and follow up my purpose; for the moment they see their king fall, these barbarians are sure to disperse. If, however, I should be killed, after inflicting death upon their king, appoint a man from among you who unites both courage and experience, and may command you in this emergency, and follow up the success. If you attend to my instructions, we are sure of the victory”
Notes: For a Spanish version of this speech see Julian Ribera’s translation of Ibn al-Qutiyya's 10th century History of the Conquest of al-Andalus (See my chapter on this) from where Al-Makkarí probably took this.
Tariq’s troops replyWhen Tariq had thus addressed his soldiers, and exhorted them to fight with courage, and to face the dangers of war with a stout heart, when he had thus recommended them to make a simultaneous attack upon Roderic’s men, and promised them abundant reward if they routed their enemies, their countenances were suddenly expanded with joy, their hopes were strengthened, the gales of victory began to blow on their side, and they all unanimously answered him: p 272
“We are ready to follow thee, O Tariq! we shall all, to one man, stand by thee, and fight for thee; nor could we avoid it were we otherwise disposed - victory is our only hope of salvation.”
The Battle of GuadaleteAfter this Tariq mounted his horse, and his men did the same; and they that night in constant watch for fear of the enemy. On the following morning, when day dawned, both armies prepared for battle; each general formed his cavalry and his infantry, and, the signal being given, the armies met with a shock similar to that of two mountains dashing against each other.King Roderic came borne on a throne, and having over his head an awning of variegated silk to guard him from the rays of the sun, surrounded by warriors cased in bright steel, with fluttering pennons, and a profusion of banners and standards. Tariq’s men were differently, arrayed; their breasts were covered with mail armour, they wore white turbans on their heads, the Arabian bow slung across their backs, their swords suspended to their girdles, and their long spears firmly grasped in their hands. p272/273
Death of RodericThey say that when the two armies were advancing upon each other, and the eyes of Roderic fell upon the men in the first ranks, he was horror- struck, and was heard to exclaim “By the faith of the Messiah! These are the very men I saw painted on the scroll found in the mansion of science at Toledo,” and from that moment fear entered his heart; and when Tariq perceived Roderic he said to his followers. p273
“This is the King of the Christians,” and he charged with his men, the warriors who surrounded Roderic being on all sides scattered and dispersed; seeing which, Tariq plunged into the ranks of the enemy until he reached the king, and wounded him with his sword on the head and killed him on his throne: and when Roderic’s men saw their king fall and his body guard dispersed, the rout became general and victory remained to the Moslems.
The rout of the Christians was complete, for instead of rallying on one spot they fled in all directions, and, their panic being communicated to their countrymen, cities opened their gates, and castles surrendered without resistance.
Doubts on whether Tariq actually killed RoderickThe preceding account we have borrowed from a writer of great note, but we deem it necessary to warn the readers that the assertion that Roderic died by the hands of Tariq has been contradicted by several historians, since his body, although diligently sought on the field of battle, could nowhere be found . . .
Roderic disappeared in the midst of the battle, and no certain intelligence was afterwards received of him; it is true that some Moslems found his favourite steed, a milk-white horse, bearing a saddle of gold sparkling with rubies, plunged in the mud of the river, as also one of his sandals, adorned with rubies and emeralds, but the other was never found; nor was Roderic, although diligently searched for, ever discovered either dead or alive, a circumstance which led the Moslems to believe that he perished in the stream; indeed there are not wanting authors who give it as certain that he died in this manner, and that, while trying to cross the stream, the weight of his armour prevented him from struggling against the current, and he was drowned; but God only knows what became of him. . .
One version of the death of Roderick - The Battle of Guadalete
We shall proceed to recount in detail that memorable battle, when Almighty God was pleased to put King Roderick’s army to flight, and grant the Muslims a most complete victory. Several authors who have described at large this famous engagement state that Tariq encamped near Roderic, towards the middle of the month of Ramadhan of the year ninety-two (Sept. 4.0. 711) and although there is some difference as to the dates, all agree that the battle was fought on the banks of the Wadaleke (Guadalete) in the district of Shidhunah. . . p273 and 275
Notes: The narrative then continues at great length. Musa and Tariq were now well on their way to completing the conquest of almost the entire peninsula of Iberia. Gibraltar was no longer the centre of attention.
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