711 - 754 Arab Conquest
710
The Berber General Tariq ibn Ziyad takes Tangier (Collins, 1983). Several Muslim expeditions raid across the straits into Spain, including a fairly large one led by a Berber called Tarif ibn Malluq.
Civil war between rival kings in Visigothic Spain; Achila in the north-east, and Roderic in the rest (Collins, 1983).
711
Tariq ibn Ziyad invades Spain with 7,000 Berber Infantry and 300 Arab Cavalry (Collins, 1983; Heath, 1980). King Roderic, who is campaigning against the Basques in the north Spain, heads south to face the new threat. Tariq's army, reinforced by a further 5,000 Berber Infantry, defeat 24-30,000 Visigoths (King Roderic) including a large number of Cavalry on the Wadi-laqqa (possibly either the Guadalete or Salado rivers) (20 Jul); this is called the battle of the Transductine Promontories by the Christians. The Visigothic wings (under Sisbert and Oppa, disaffected relatives of the previous King) desert, and the centre crumbles with heavy losses. Many Visigoths are killed in the 3 day pursuit, including Roderic. Subsequently all the Berbers are mounted on captured horses. Tariq goes on to take Toledo, while a detachment under Mugit al-Rumi takes Cordoba.
712
10-18,000 Arabs and Syrians arrive in Spain (Heath, 1980).
714
First Muslim campaigns in the lower Ebro (Collins, 1983).
718 or 722 Covadonga
Austerians defeat Muslims at Covadonga (Collins, 1983).
720
Arab conquest of Barcelona and Narbonne (Collins, 1983).
721 Toulouse
A mixed force of Aquitanians and Franks (Duke Eudo) defeat an Arab army (al-Samah) near Toulouse (Collins, 1983; Heath, 1980). The Franks quickly surround and kill Al-Samah and most of his force for the loss of only 1,500 men. .
725
Muslim raid reachs Autun in Francia (Collins, 1983).
729
The Berber leader Munnus rebels in Cerdanya, but despite being allied with Duke Eudo of Aquitaine, the rebellion is suppressed (Collins, 1983).
732 Tours and Poitiers
Tours
An Arab Army (Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi) defeats a Aquitanian force (Duke Eudo) on the Garonne near Bordeaux (Collins, 1983; Heath, 1980). The Arabs then set about pillaging Aquitaine.
Poitiers
Eudo rallies Frankish reinforcements (Charles Martel) who catch the Arab raiders near Poitiers (Collins, 1983; Heath, 1980). Abd al-Rahman covers the retreat of his baggage train for some days, but eventually has to stand and fight to protect the loot. In the subsequent battle, the Franks, fighting mainly as infantry, defend high ground against repeated Arab Cavalry attacks. Toward evening Eudo and his Aquitanian Nobles ride around the flank of the Arabs and start looting the baggage train. Some Arab Cavalry move to defend the baggage, but other units, believing the Cavalry are retiring, break. Confusion spreads and Abd al-Rahman is killed by Austrasian spearmen. the Arabs break when they discover are leaderless, and leave the field. There is no Frankish pursuit. (Arab sources record this as a 2 day battle.)
737
Arabs take Avignon in Rhone Valley (Collins, 1983).
739-740
Berber revolts in Africa and Spain (Collins, 1983). Rebels in North Africa defeat a Syrian force and kill its commander (Kulthum).
741-742
The 10,000 survivors of Kulthum's force arrive in Spain under a new leader (Talaba ibn Salama) (Collins, 1983; Heath, 1980). Talaba ibn Salama and the Jordanians settles in Cordoba; Seville gets the Homs contingent; the Damascus contingent settle in Elvira; Qinnasrin in Jaen, and Palestine in Algeciras and Medina Sedonia. Civil war erupts between the Syrians and the Spanish Arabs, the latter being supported by a contingent of African Arabs under abd al-Rahman ibn Habib.
742-746
Continued internal conflict in Al-Andalus (Collins, 1983).
Sources
Collins, R. (1983). Early Medieval Spain: Unity in Diversity, 400-1000 [2nd ed.]. NY: St. Martin's Press.
Heath, I. (1980). Armies of the Dark Ages 600-1066 (2nd ed.). Wargames Research Group.