The Iberian Crusades: Prologue

By the IV and V century, christianity was already widespread on the borders of the Roman Empire, yet these two centuries marked the demise of the biggest empire in Europe in its history.

In AD 410 the Visigoths led by Alaric sack Rome, and around AD 450 Spain is invaded by Vandals, following gruesome years of political instability and warfare all the invading barbarians tribes take root in the now gone Western Roman Empire, for the Iberian Peninsula once the dust settled two main groups stayed in power.

Barbian migration and kingdoms after the fall of Rome

In the Northwest of the Peninsula, the Suevi were in control, the rest of the Peninsula was controlled by the Visigoths. But soon, these Christian kingdoms were to face invaders themselves, the Umayyad Caliphate.

Between 622 and 632, Islam was born and under Muhammad the first territories were carved for Islam, Spreading with an incredible speed under the Rashidun caliphs and the Umayyad caliphs all the Middle East and North Africa is conquered.

Early expansion of Islam in the Middle East

In 711, less than 100 years from its birth, Islam is ready to conquer the Iberian Peninsula were Christian Kingdoms rule, it was the start of a battle that would last over 700 years!

This is just a small introduction guys, next I will write about the first invasion, battles and more.

Peace, Carlos