Few natural objects appealed so powerfully to the imagination of the ancients as the western boundary of the Mediterranean. To them that inland sea appeared the centre of the universe, its terminus the limit of the world. How solemn and suggestive, therefore, must have seemed its solitary outlet!
Although impressive in itself, Nature had made this portal of two seas and meeting place of two great continents still more imposing by two giant promontories, - Mount Calpe (now known as Gibraltar) on the European shore, Mount Abyla (the Mount of God) in Africa. These were believed to be the Pillars of Hercules, left by that god of strength as proofs of his prodigious prowess when he rent the continents asunder. . . .
“Mount Calpe – now known as Gibraltar”
He further illustrates this with another popular late 19th century photograph of the Rock showing the ridge of the upper Rock looking north towards Signal Station and neighbouring Spain.
"The Signal Station"
Mount Abyla is given a miss seemingly replaced by Cape Spartel which lies about 100 km west of it.
"Cape Spartel on the African Shore"
Incidentally, not all historians incidentally agree that Mount Abyla – also known as Jebal Musa - was in fact the African pillar. For some,“ El hacho” above Ceuta is a more likely candidate. The author then gives us a short passage on the pre-Islamic history of the area, ending his first Chapter as follows.
Owing perhaps to its inhospitable aspect, as well as to the awe inspired by its situation and reputed origin, Gibraltar never was inhabited in classic times. Its massive form looms lifeless through the whole millennium of Rome's rise and fall, belonging less to man than to the gods.
At last, however, in the dawn of the eighth century of the Christian era, it suddenly emerges clearly into view, to hold thenceforth a prominent place in the affairs of men. Its advent is associated with that wonderful phenomenon of history - the rapid spread of Islam, when, having conquered Asia Minor, Persia, Palestine, and Egypt, the followers of Mohammed had swept iresistlessly along the northern coast of Africa and
There, pausing by the southern Pillar of Hercules, they looked across the Straits at its companion, Calpe. Beyond that frowning headland Europe lay before them ripe for conquest. Hence, flushed with victory and burning with religious zeal, they crossed the narrow channel on the 30th of April, 711, and landed in that lovely portion of our earth whose natural charms they were so wonderfully to increase by irrigation, art, and agriculture, and in which the fine flower of Arabic civilization was to flourish seven hundred years.
"A Follower Of Mohammed"
Gibraltar, therefore, which then passed from the realm of myths to that of Moorish history, commemorates at once their landing and their leader, for its modern name is but a modification of "Gebal-al-Tarik," or the "Mountain of Tarik" - its Mohammedan conqueror.
"A Descendant Of The Conquerors"
Whether Stoddard’s “Mohammedan Conqueror” - Tarik ibn Ziyad - ever actually landed on the Rock is a not point and is very much open to debate. But let me move on.
Click on either of the following links to continue.