@historybyte_1: In 711 AD, Tariq ibn Ziyad, a Muslim general from North Africa, crossed the Strait of Gibraltar with a small but determined army and began one of the most important campaigns in European history. The Visigothic kingdom of Spain was in political turmoil, with internal divisions and rival factions weakening its rule. King Roderic had recently taken the throne, but he faced resistance from rival nobles, leaving his kingdom unstable and vulnerable. The governor of North Africa, Musa ibn Nusayr, sent Tariq to intervene after a Visigothic noble invited Muslim forces to challenge Roderic’s rule. For Tariq, the campaign was not only a military mission but also a chance to expand influence into Iberia. To secure the loyalty and courage of his men, Tariq famously burned his ships upon landing, leaving no path to retreat. His army had to fight and win. At the Battle of Guadalete, King Roderic led a massive Visigothic army against Tariq. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Tariq’s forces fought with discipline and determination. Roderic was killed in the fighting, and the Visigothic army collapsed. This decisive victory opened the way for the Muslim conquest of Spain, beginning centuries of Islamic rule in Iberia and reshaping European history. #HistoryTime #historyofspain #visigogtikkingdom #711AD Spain #renaissance

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Friday 03 October 2025 16:56:33 GMT