Islamic Conquest of Iberia and Al-Andalus State 711–732

Phases of the Islamic Conquest (711–732)

In the Islamic conquest we can distinguish two major phases:

First Phase (711–716)

It began after the defeat of Don Rodrigo at the Battle of Guadalete by an army led by Tariq. Muslims made several expeditions; to exploit the weakness of the Visigoths a new, mostly Arab contingent was formed and joined by the victors. A new Muslim army under the command of Musa and Tariq conquered most of the territory largely bloodlessly, since Visigothic nobles and various authorities agreed to submit to the invaders by signing pacts.

Second Phase (716–732)

This period was somewhat harder, with the conquest of lands close to the Pyrenees and Septimania. Muslims continued their expansion into the Frankish kingdom, where they were defeated at Poitiers (Tours) and forced to retreat to the peninsula. Hostility and resistance from the Cantabrians, Asturians and Basques deterred the Muslims, establishing the Cantabrian range and the Pyrenees as frontiers.

The invaders tried to repopulate the plateau with peasants, but this attempt failed and they decided to settle in the southern lands. The border through the Duero valley served as the frontier between Al-Andalus and the small Christian kingdoms in the north of Spain.

Organization of the State of Al-Andalus

Administration and Leadership

The state of Al-Andalus was organized centrally under the power of the emirs and caliphs, who were the spiritual leaders of the faithful. The caliph presided over Friday prayers and directed the administration personally or through a prime minister. He also appointed the governors (walis) and judges (qadis). The administration was structured into diwans (ministries).

Finance

The Diwan of Finance was responsible for obtaining the financial resources necessary to maintain the state. A centralized fiscal system based on tax collection was established.

Justice, Provinces and Military

Justice was administered by the qadis. There were also special jurisdictions exercised by market judges, police, and governors. The territory was divided into provinces, each governed by a wali. The frontier zones had a special status; there were three principal frontier regions: lower (Badajoz), middle (Toledo), and upper (Zaragoza). Military expansion and control of the borders relied on a large army composed of Berbers and Slavs.

Key Points

• Leaders: Tariq and Musa played central roles in early conquests.
• Conquest method: Many territories were submitted by pact rather than by prolonged battle.
• Frontiers: Cantabrian range, Pyrenees and the Duero valley marked boundaries with northern Christian realms.
• Administration: Centralized under emirs/caliphs with diwans, walis and qadis.
• Military composition: Significant use of Berber and Slavic troops.