Tariq ibn Ziyad
the conqueror of Spain
Tariq, the great African chief of the Moors
was made general of the Arab army and subjugated Spain increasing Moorish holdings northward into the Iberian Penisular. The Arabs and Africans of North Africa joined forces after bitter conflict. But now trade, commerce and the islamic faith connected the Moors and Arabs into one of the most powerful global forces of that era (beating the Romans and the Persians).
The Moors were African warrior scholars and part of the Islamic Empire, and Tariq ibn Ziyad was it's brightest commander. A brilliant general, a man of faith and unwavering determination.
Tariq gathered his troops at Gibraltar (which means the mountain of Tariq) then landed on the Spanish coast with his Moorish warriors, 300 Arabs and 7000 native African Moors. Then he ordered the ships to be burned! When asked why, Tariq said "We will conquer or perish" And in their first engagement with the Visigoths upon landing, Tariq killed the Visigoth Lord Theodore Meir.
The next wave of Goths came with Rodriquez and his 80,000 men. The Moors and Arabs were superior in the art of mobile warfare. they were superb horsemen and had mastered the art of rapid enveloping movements. There was no contest. Even though the Muslims were outnumbered, the Visigoths were cut to pieces. Rodriquez was slain in battle with all his men. From there Tariq and his Black army swept into Spain and defeated the Visigoths in successive stages.
The bloodiest battle was at Guadalete. This time Tariq faced 100,000 Goths. With his 7,000 Moors and 5,000 Berber reinforcements (Barbary pirates of Africa). Tariq annihilated the Visigoth King Roderick and drowned him in the river Barbate. Tariq divided his small army into four divisions and three of his lieutenants were sent to take Cordova, Malaga and Granada. Tariq himself at the head of his army took Toledo, the capital of Spain. The Moors were unstoppable, and Visigothic Spain ceased to be. The few Visigoths left fled to the caves of the Cantabrian mountains.
Tariq stood King in Africa and Spain
(Chief in Morocco and Governor of Spain)
The Moors brought art, science and culture. They built palaces where African monarchs ruled. They built gardens, hospitals mosques and libraries, well paved streets with sidewalks, public baths in the hundreds when cleanliness in Europe was considered a sin. This was the beginning of the Golden age of Islam. The oppressed masses of Jews and white serfs (slaves) of Spain hailed Tariq as their liberator. Serfdom's were abolished and fair wages were instituted. Taxes were reduced to a fifth of the produce and anyone who accepted Islam was relieved of servitude. A large number of Spaniards became Muslim to escape the oppression of their former masters. The religious minorities the Jews and Christians, received the protection of the state and were allowed participation at the highest levels of government. The Moors enlightened Europe and brought it out of the dark ages that ushered in the renaissance.
The Moors ruled Spain, Southern France and much of Scotland and Northern Africa during the middle ages for 700 years.
two thirds of the Spanish peninsula was renamed by the Moors as Al-Andalus
(Spain, Portugal,Gibraltar, and France)
on a comic note, the Bronze Tiger has fought with and against the Jewish Superhero team the Hayoth. It's a lot of untold stories to be told on Ben's solo exploits.
OA1 presents
Operation: Iron Tiger
