Lecture 3 - Visigoth Iberia Flashcards
what were The “Barbarian” Invasions
The “Barbarian” invasions were not a single event, but of a series of waves
The barbarian invasions were made possible due to a combination of factors which included:
overstretching political instability religious upheaval mercenaries incentives
explain how overstretching made the barbarian invasion possible
At its height the Roman Empire encompassed the totality of the Mediterranean basin plus Britannia and the Galia
(needed lost of resources)
explain how political instability made the barbarian invasion possible
By the 4th century the political crises and the quarrels for power in Rome became more acute
explain how religious upheaval made the barbarian invasion possible
The transformation of Christianity into the religion of the Empire was a polemical (clean) process marked by divisions with other religious groups and among the Christians themselves
(Romans were pretty tolerant of other religions and they upheaved eventually)
explain how mercenaries made the barbarian invasion possible
The high cost of keeping the frontiers of the Empire secure made the Romans rely on the tribes that would eventually turn against them
(learned the ways of war of the romans and learned how to overthrow them)
explain how Incentives made the barbarian invasion possible
Many of those tribes were well aware of the benefits of Roman civilization and sought to profit from the Empire by becoming part of it – At the same time, many of them were facing pressure on their Eastern flank by other tribes (and more particularly the Huns)
The Visigoths under Alarico were able to reach Rome and other parts of the Adriatic Sea and the Balkans between when
401-410
when did the visigoths move to hispania
only after the death of Alarico
were the visigoths the first to arrive in the I.P
no
who was included in The first wave and the brake-up of Hispania (before the visigoths)
Suebi, Vandals, and Alans
A series of Northern tribes –many of which had been used by the Romans as mercenaries - cross the river Rhin on 31 December 406. Among them:
the Suebi (A Germanic tribe) the Vandals (A tribe of Scandinavian origin) the Alans (An Iranian nomadic pastoral people of the Caucasus region).
the suede, vandals and alans try to establish themselves where
in the Galias (Roman Gaul).
aka france
As part of his bid to become Emperor, does Maximus of Hispania allow for the tribes to establish themselves
agrees to let them establish themselves in the Iberian Peninsula in 411
who was Maximus of Hispania
a rebellious general
did The Cantabrian mountain range remain part of rome
(populated by Cantabri and Vasques since pre-Roman times becomes fully separated from Rome)
where did Rome control during the first wave and break up by the tribes
Rome only controlled the north-East of the Iberian Peninsula
how did the tribes get expelled
A Tragic Pact: Shortly after having allowed the Vandals, Suebi, and Alans establish themselves in the Iberian Peninsula, Emperor Honorius reaches a pact with the most powerful of the Germanic tribes –the Visigoths- to expel the Vandals, the Suebi, and the Alans from the Iberian Peninsula in exchange for food and territory in the Aquitania Seconda (near Bordeaux)
did the visigoths destroy the tribes
The Visigoths destroy the Alans and part of the Vandals between 416 and 418, but they stop the campaign to take control of Toulouse (Southern France)
where was the visigoth capital
Toulouse (Southern France) where they will establish their capital
The remaining Vandals would eventually move where
to Northern Africa were they will form a Kingdom that will attack Rome itself in 455
did the Suevi survive
The Suevi were able to keep an extend their territory in the Northwest and created a Kingdom that challenged the power of Rome and the Visigoths (who had become a kingdom federated with Rome) in the Iberian Peninsula
The destruction of the Suebi and the creation of the Visigoth Kingdom of Toledo (entire slide)
The defeat of the Visigoths by the Francs: The Visigoths were expelled from their capital in Toulouse and most of the Gallia by the Francs in 508
The emergence of the Visigoth Kingdom of Toledo: After a period of crisis, they moved the capital to Toledo – During the Kingdom of Leovigild from 568 to 586 they are able to attack and destroy the Suebi in the Northewest and conquer the totality of the Iberian Peninsula except for the South West that will be occupied by Bizantium
A political and religious conversion: Under Leovigild’s son, Recadero (586-601), the Visigoths convert from Arrianism to Catholicism (more on this later)
A unified kingdom: Under King Suintilla (621-631) , the Visigoths expulse the remaining Byzantines from Southern Spain – the totality of the Peninsula was now under they control
An Unruly Nobility: Visigoth Kings tended to succeed their fathers or close relatives on the throne until the mid 6th Century – After the conversion to Catholicism, the Visigothic monarchy took on a completely elective character – This weakened the central power of the King and led to rebellions/treasons
The beginning of the Muslim conquest: In early 711, Muslim forces disembarked in Gibraltar and the conquest of Hispania by the Ummayad began
But before we discuss the beginnings of Arab rule over the Peninsula, let’s talk about… What was the contribution of the Visigoths to the history and culture of Spain?
explain The defeat of the Visigoths by the Francs
The Visigoths were expelled from their capital in Toulouse and most of the Gallia by the Francs in 508
explain The emergence of the Visigoth Kingdom of Toledo
After a period of crisis, they moved the capital to Toledo – During the Kingdom of Leovigild from 568 to 586 they are able to attack and destroy the Suebi in the Northewest and conquer the totality of the Iberian Peninsula except for the South West that will be occupied by Bizantium
Under Leovigild’s son, Recadero (586-601), the Visigoths convert from what to what
Arrianism to Catholicism (more on this later)
Under King Suintilla (621-631 the visigoths did what
the Visigoths expulse the remaining Byzantines from Southern Spain – the totality of the Peninsula was now under they control
how did the throne typically get passed on and how did it get changed at the time
Visigoth Kings tended to succeed their fathers or close relatives on the throne until the mid 6th Century – After the conversion to Catholicism, the Visigothic monarchy took on a completely elective character – This weakened the central power of the King and led to rebellions/treasons
how dud The beginning of the Muslim conquest
In early 711, Muslim forces disembarked in Gibraltar and the conquest of Hispania by the Ummayad began
What was the contribution of the Visigoths to the history and culture of Spain?
Social stratification
Roman citizenship
law
what were the 4 Social stratification
ruling class/aristocrasy
ruled class/native inhabitants
religious minorities
saves
who was included in Ruling class/ Aristocracy –
Visigoths – Warrior Class – Different Language (Gothic, although they quickly adopt Latin) – Different Religion (Christian Arianism)
who was included in Ruled class/ Native inhabitants –
Speak Latin (or its evolution) – Religion (Christian Catholicism)
who was included in Religious Minorities
(Jewish Communities) – Minority social groups (Basques, Cantabri)
did the visigoths keep slaves
Slaves - While slavery did not disappear under the Visigoths, the collapse of the Roman Empire meant the end of the ancient slave markets and the need to redefine the relations of production
did Roman citizenship stay under the visigoths
The notion of Roman citizenship that guaranteed free individuals a wide range of privileges and protections defined in detail by the Roman State collapsed - Allegiance to a war lord leads to forms of vassalage and serfdom
what was the Law under the visigoths
The Visigoths however did not see themselves as fully breaking with Roman tradition – In fact, Visigoth law was applied to the ruling class while Roman common/civil law continued to be applied for the rest of the population
what was the Libro de los Jueces (Liber Iudiciorum or Visigothic Code) and why was it important
The creation of the so-called Libro de los Jueces (Liber Iudiciorum or Visigothic Code) published in 654 by King Recceswinth (649-672), was the first law code that applied equally to the conquering Goths and the general population, of which the majority had Roman roots, and had lived under Roman laws.
what was The fate of cities under the visigoths
Major urban centers such as Mérida, Toledo or Barcelona continued to exist, but many Roman cities experience a decline in population and trade – Cities and regions are ruled by Visigoth nobles (war lords) – Beginnings of feudal rule
define REX HISPANIAE
King of Hispania
what was the dominant political form under the visigoths
Through their control of the entire Iberian Peninsula, the Visigothic King became for the first REX HISPANIAE (King of Hispania)
The Visigothic Monarchy marks the beginning of what
the Monarchy as the predominant political form of government of Spain up to nowadays [(uninterrupted) with the exception of Franco’s regime]
does the spansh monarchy claim uninterrupted connection with the visigoth kingdom
Even though different dynasties have occupied the Throne, the Spanish Monarchy claims an uninterrupted connection with the Visigothic Kingdom
The continuity between the Visigothic Kings and the Spanish House of Bourbon (currently in the throne) is highlighted where
in the Royal Palace in Madrid (the largest Royal Palace in Europe by floor area built between 1738 and 1755) where the Royal coat of arms is flanked by the statues of Visigothic Kings
what was the beginning of the destruction of gothic culture
Christian communities in the Iberian Peninsula as soon as the 2nd Century CE
Jewish diaspora in Hispania, especially between 66 and 135 CE (approx. the same time when Christian communities are establishing themselves in Spain).
how did the institutionalization of christianity over gothic culture come to be
Theodosius declares Christianity the religion of the empire in 380
Most of the Iberian Peninsula converted to the Roman Catholic version of Christianity
Forced conversions of Pagans and Jews followed in the 4th and 5th Centuries despite Roman law forbidding this practice
did the vidigoths convert to christianity
The Visigoths convert to Christianity before invading the Roman Empire
They follow a version of Christianism known as ”Arianism”,
what is Arianism
denies the divinity of Christ
did the arianism and catholicism co exist peacefully
Arianism (Visigoths) and Catholicism (native inhabitants) will co-exist in the Visigothic kingdom
This plurality also allowed a safer space to the practice of Judaism
why is King Reaccared important
Visigothic King Reaccared converted to Catholicism in 589
King Recared’s conversion transformed the Visigothic Monarchy into a Catholic Monarchy
why was the conversion of King Reaccared to christianity important
Prior Visigothic texts were seen as heretical and destroyed en masse
Latin was adopted as the fundamental language/Gothic disappeared
Jewish communities face increasing hostility
Durign the Visigothic Kingdom what was the repository of ancient knowledge
Durign the Visigothic Kingdom, Churches and Monasteries become the repository of ancient knowledge
the aim of Churches and Monasteries was what
Their aim is to transform the received knowledge from the Ancients in a way that makes it compatible with Christian Doctrine
who is Isidore of Seville
one of the key figures in this project - He is a the same time the last of the Church Fathers and the last scholar of the Ancient world
(helped the church and monasteries make knowledge compatible with christian doctrine)
what was Isidore of Seville’s most important work
His most important work were the Etymologiae
what was the Etymologiae
was an attempt at a summa of universal knowledge (a sort of encyclopedia before the encyclopedia) - It consisted of 448 chapters in 20 volumes
It became one of the most important books for the entire medieval Christendom and It was printed in at least ten editions between 1470 and 1530, showing Isidore’s continued popularity in the Renaissance.
what opened the door to the Muslim invasion in 711
Politic instability
The invasion of the muslims counted with the support of who
some of Kings Roderic’s enemies
King Roderic had ruled the Visigoths for just two years was defeated and killed at theBattle of what
Guadalete in 711 or 712, his troops deserting him
who was the last king of the visigoths
King Roderic
what was legend of La Cava
King Roderic had ruled the Visigoths for just two years was defeated and killed at theBattle of Guadalete in 711 or 712, his troops deserting him
In later accounts these historical events will take legendary status, with the invasion being the result of the revenge of a noble Visigoth (Count don Julián) whose daughter (La Cava) had been abducted and raped by King Roderic (other sources have her seduced King Roderick). Afterwards, Julian, in order to avenge his dishonor on Roderic, colludes with the Umayyad forces (then subduing the northern Africa) to invade Spain
The story of Roderick and don Julian will be taken as historical facts for many centuries - It presents the conquest of the Muslims as a result of what 2 reasons
(1) of the moral degeneration of the Visigoth monarchy and
(2) the treason of someone from their own ranks (an interior enemy) – The legend will play a cautionary role in Spanish politics for centuries
