Chapter 6
THE MUSLIM CONQUEST AND
LOSS OF SPAIN
The fiery Islamic storm that blew through Egypt expanded westward and
threw sparks into the North African Bedouins, igniting them to yet another
jihad that would push across the deserts of North Africa to Morocco. In
numerous engagements the raiders pillaged the decaying fringes of the
Byzantine Empire, capturing the few imperial outposts scattered along the
southern coast of the Mediterranean. As always, conversion and conquest
went hand in hand. These newly converted Muslims pushed to Ceuta, on
the Moroccan shore of the Strait of Gibraltar, byA.D. 618.
Count Julian, a vassal of King Roderick, repulsed the Muslim assault
on Ceuta, led by Musa ibn Nusair. However, Count Julian was a treach-
erous warlord who then made an alliance with Musa against King Rod-
erick, last of the Visigoth kings of Spain. The Visigoths themselves were
the last of a series of barbaric German tribes who had swept the old
Western Roman Empire away. They had held Spain since the sixth century.
Julian, having no real loyalty except to himself, promised to assist Musa
in the conquest of Spain and spiced it with promises of rich booty and
beautiful women. The raiding party was organized under Abu Zora Tarik,
who led a reconnaissance in force to the Algeciras region of southern
Spain in July 710.
The first battle in Spain against the Muslims was fought on the banks
of the Guadelete River, to the northwest of Gibraltar. Known as the Battle
of Merida, the Spanish army fielded 40,000 or more men, including a
large contingent led by the treacherous, but still unmasked Count Julian.