Having conquered North Africa and mass-converted the local inhabitants, Muslim forces set their sights on Iberia. After scouting and raiding the coastal areas of these lands for some time, the Muslims readied a much more substantial force in 711 AD. Consisting mainly of Berbers, neighbors of the Visigoths from across the Strait of Gibraltar, and approximately 7,000 horsemen strong, the invaders crossed the narrow strait and made landfall near Algeciras.
Headquartered in the city of Toledo, the Arian (later Catholic) Visigoths, had ruled the peninsula for nearly 300 years. At this time, the Visigoths were in the process of electing a new monarch, a process that in the past had often led to conflict between the prominent families from which future monarchs were chosen. And while the new Visigoth king, Roderic, (still challenged by a son of former king Witiza) was campaigning in the north of the country, the Muslims made landfall in the south.
Hearing of the conquest, King Roderic gathered his men and rode to challenge the Muslim invaders and in mid-711 near the river Guadalete, the two forces clashed.
See Flashpoint History’s video (YouTube) depicting the battle by clicking the image above or click here: The battle of Guadalete, 711 AD.
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