THE MIDDLE AGES

The Muslim invasion

In AD 711, Muslims from North Africa invaded Visigoth Spain. After the Battle of Guadalete, in which the Visigoths were defeated, Muslim armies continued the conquest. In just a few years they conquered most of the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands. The only remaining Christian territory was in the north of the peninsula. The Muslims called their conquered territory Al-Andalus. At first, Al-Andalus was a province that depended on the Caliph of Damascus. Then, in 756, Abd al-Rahman I established the Emirate of Córdoba and proclaimed himself emir. In AD 929, Al-Andalus became independent. Abd al-Rahman III established the Caliphate of Córdoba. He was the first caliph and the greatest ruler of Al-Andalus.

THE BATTLE OF GUADALETE