It is the era of the great migrations in Europe and despite its location far to the west, their effects are felt in Iberia as well. Following the weakening and fall of the Roman Empire, Germanic tribes such as the Vandals, Alans, Suebi and Visigoths and a few Franks cross the Pyrenees while the Byzantines and Moors arrive by sea. And in the late 700s AD, Vikings start their exploration, trade and raiding efforts as well.
International trade accelerates and new products and technology from various parts of the world find their way to the Iberian peninsula. But migrations, trade and cultural exchange may at times also bring conflict where control of lands and vital resources become increasingly important. And sometimes when humans gather, diseases come with them: as evidenced by the Byzantines under emperor Justinian who probably brought the first known pandemic to Iberia in the mid-500s AD. This millennium also sees the fragile beginning of the first new Christian kingdoms in Iberia since the Moorish invasion, kingdoms that will later play a dominant role in Europe.
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The Greeks had colonies in Iberia until 49 AD. The Romans conquered the lands of the Greeks early in the new millennium, but were themselves ousted by the Visigoths.
From 575 BC to 49 AD.
The Franks raided early in Iberia but did not establish a permanent presence. They have had an influence in the north-eastern parts of the peninsula since the 5th century.
From the 250/260 AD and 500 AD to 1659 AD.
The Suebi came to Iberia at the same time as the Alans and the Vandals. They established a kingdom in the northwest until the Visigoths took their lands in 585 AD.
From 411 AD to 585 AD.
The Byzantines, now the Eastern Roman Empire, invaded the Balearic Islands and Iberia in 546 AD in an attempt at Roman reconquest. They remained in the area until the year 624 AD.
From 552 AD to 624 AD.
Asturias was the first Christian kingdom to emerge (ca 720 AD) following the Moorish invasion. In 924 AD the kingdom was incorporated into the kingdom of León.
From 718 AD to 924 AD.
The Romans controlled most of Iberia for almost 700 years, but internal strife and the great migrations from the east caused the fall of the western Roman Empire.
From 218 BC to 472/473 AD.
The Vandals migrated across the Pyrenees in 409 AD together with the Alans and the Suebi. The Vandals and the Alans were forced out of Iberia after only 20 years.
From 409 AD to 419 AD and 461 AD to 533 AD.
The Visigoths invaded Hispania with the support of the Romans in 416 AD. They conquered all of Iberia and held most of the area until the Moors invaded in 711 AD.
From 416 AD to 711 AD.
The Moors invaded Visigothic Iberia in 711 AD and conquered most of the peninsula. Moorish rule was turbulent but remained on the peninsula in one form or another until 1230 AD.
From 711 AD to 1230 AD.
The kingdom of Pamplona (later Navarre) was founded in 824 AD in the northwestern Pyrenees and on the front line between the Moors and the Franks.
From 824 AD to 1512 AD.
Vikings have visited Iberia diligently but not established permanent bases. They first arrived in 844 AD and eventually raided almost the entire coastline including the Balearic Islands.
From 844 AD to the 1100s AD.
Galicia has occasionally been an independent kingdom and was established in 910 AD. The kingdom was independent for two other, short periods until 985 AD.
On and off from 910 AD to 985 AD.
León was founded in 910 AD by Asturian princes. In 924 AD they incorporated or merged with Asturias and moved the capital of the new and greater empire to León.
From 910 AD to 1230 AD.
You can find the continuous history of the Iberian Peninsula by following this link: Iberia: Peoples and Empires.
The Find Your Spain team!
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