Conquerors and Chroniclers of Early Medieval SpainKenneth Baxter Wolf From the perspective of the Hispano-Romans, the Visigoths who invaded Spain in the mid-fifth century were heretical barbarians. But Leovigild’s military success and Reccared’s conversion to Catholic Christianity led to more positive assessments of the Gothic role in Iberian history. John of Biclaro (c.590) and Isidore of Seville (c.625) authored histories that projected the Gothic achievements back on to their uncertain beginnings, transforming them from antagonists of the Roman Empire to protagonists of a new, independent Chistianity in Spain. "... undoubtedly ... convenient for those who would teach and study early medieval Spanish history..."—Bryn Mawr Classical Review |
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Abd al-Malik according Africa Alfonso appear Arabs Arian army Asturian attack battle beginning bishop brother called Catholic Chosroes Christian chronicler church command conquest Constantine Constantinople continuation Córdoba council death defeated described died divine east emperor empire fact faith father finally flight forces Franks Fritigern Gothic Goths governor hands held Heraclius HistGoth holy honour immediately imperial invaders invasion Isidore Isidore's Islam Italy John John of Biclaro Justin killed king kingdom kingship land later Leovigild lived Lord means military mountain Musa Muslim natural palace peace Pelayo Persians province rebelled rebellion Reccared received record reference regarded region reign religious remained restored returned Roman Rome royal rule ruler Saracens scourge seized sent Seville short simply soldiers sources Spain succeeded success sword territory Theodoric third Toledo took victory Visigothic Wamba Witiza