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Jan 1, 711
Islam enters Spain
Tariq ibn Malik, a Berber officer, crosses the strait separating Africa and Europe with a group of Muslims and enters Spain (al-Andalus, as the Muslims called it) The first stop in the Muslim conquest of Spain is at the foot of a mountain that comes to be called Jabel Tarik, the Mountain of Tarik. Today it is known as Gibraltar. I chose this event as this was the initial arrival of Islam into Spain. -
Period: Apr 1, 711 to Jun 29, 1095
Islam in Spain from 711-1095
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Jan 1, 712
Reinforcements of 18,000 support the Spanish conquest
Muslim governor of Northern Africa Musa ibn Nusayr follows Tariq ibn Ziyad with an army of 18,000 as reinforcements for the conquest of Andalusia. This was an important event as it showed how serious the Muslims were taking the conquest of Spain. It also gives a good idea of the scale of this conquest too. -
Mar 29, 712
The Battle of Guadalete
Pelayo, a Christian Asturian noble, leads the fight at the Battle of Guadalete against the Umayyads in the Asturian region. The battle was significant as it marked a series of Berber attacks and the beginning of the Islamic conquest of Hispania. -
Jan 1, 715
The Spanish Conquest is Almost Complete
By this year just about all of Spain is in Muslim hands. The Muslim conquest of Spain only took around three years but the Christian reconquest would require around 460 years. Musa's son, Abd el-Aziz, is left in charge and makes his capital the city of Seville. I believe by putting this date in, it shows how quickly Muslim forces swep across Spain. The fact about the Christian reconquest taking so long further supports this statement. -
Jan 1, 717
Cordova Becomes the Capital of Muslim Holdings in Spain
This is an important decision, and therefore an important event, as it would be here that Muslims would construct the Great Mosque of Cordova. It would also become the hub of the Golden Islamic Age of Spain. -
Jan 1, 720
The Umayyads conquest of Barcelona and Narbonne, Septimania
This is an important event as these three places were in Northen Spain, showing how quickly the Islamic forces were advancing through Spain. -
Jan 1, 722
The Battle of Covadonga
This was considered by many ot be the first sign of the reconquista. It was a significant millitary victory for the Christians, ensuring the independence of the Kingdom of Asturias. -
Period: Mar 31, 722 to Mar 31, 1492
The Reconquista of Spain
The period in which the Christian European forces drove out the Muslims of Spain. It was notably a lot longer than the initial conquest of the Muslim forces in 711. It is therefore important to note the reslilience of the Islamic forces in Spain, and their reluctancy to be conquered. -
Jan 1, 724
Muslims branch out to France
Under the command of Ambissa, Emir of Andalusia, Muslim forces raid southern France and capture the cities of Carcassone and Nimes. Primary targets in these and other raids are churches and monasteries where the Muslims take away holy objects and enslave or kill all the clerics. I believe this event further showed the drive of the Islamic forces, and that they were not just content with a successful conquest of Spain. -
Jan 1, 756
Abd ar-Rahman I, proclaims himself Emir of Córdoba.
This was a key point in the conquest of Spain. It showed that the Muslims were here to stay, establishing such a role in the Islamic capital of Spain. It also marked the start of the Golden Islamic Age of Spain. -
Period: Mar 29, 756 to Mar 29, 1031
The Golden Islamic Age of Spain
This age marked the great advancements in many areas, such as philosophy.
Maths also saw advancements. Our numerals were originally created by the Arabs who brought them to Europe.
The concepts of mapping and astronomy were also introudced to Spain during this time, giving the toold for explorers such as Christopher Columbus.
The most important factor to perhaps mention however was the harmony that was seen between Muslims, Christians and Jews. -
Jan 1, 1085
The Fall of Toledo
The first big Islamic centre to fall to Christianity was Toledo. This oculd therefore be considered the first sign of a decline to Islamic Spain. -
Jan 1, 1086
The Battle of Sagrajas/Zallaqa
Bitter with the loss of Toledo, forces from Africa, under the general Yusuf bin Tashfin, defeated the Christians resoundingly. This was significant as it sparked the recapture of most of Spain by the early 12th century. -
Period: Mar 30, 1095 to Mar 30, 1291
Crusades
This is a significant period for Muslims as they met many a conflict from Christian opposition in the Middle East to regain Jerusalem. -
Jan 1, 1144
Rebellion in Spain
A series of internal rebellions lead to the unity of Spain being dispanded. This ended the Almoravid rule in Spain, and created the vulnerability that ultimately led to the reconquest of Spain taking less time to be completed. -
Jul 16, 1212
Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa
This decisive win in battle by the Christians marked a major turning point in the reconquista. -
Jan 1, 1492
The Battle of Grenada
This battle arked the final blow for the remaining Muslim territories in Spain. Grenada was annexed by Castile. It was significant because this marked the end of Islam in Spain. -
Jan 1, 1502
Conversion to Christianity
Christian leaders forced conversion on the remaining Muslims in Spain.If they did not comply, the Muslims were subject to brutal restrictions. -
Islamic Conquest of Morocco
The Muslim conquest reaches further north to the tip of North Africa. I chose this event as it was the catalyst for the Muslim conquest of Spain which was to follow in 711. -
Period: to Mar 30, 1031
The Caliphate era
This, for many marked the peak of Muslim rule in Spain. It was after this reign that Islam in Spain started to be eroded by Christian forces. -
Period: to
The Construction of the Great Mosque of Cordoba
A significant part of the Golden Age, the contruction of this building marked the Muslims intentions to stay in Spain. It represented wealth and civilisation.
