A.H. 86–96.
Ṭāriḳ returned to Toledo, having within the short space of two years reduced the greater part of Spain, and put every enemy to flight that dared to meet him in the field.[1]
Descent of Mūsa, ix. 93 A.H.
June, 712 A.D.The splendid exploits of his lieutenant aroused the jealousy of Mūsa. To rival his success, he set out himself with a large force and many warriors of note, and landed in Spain, 93 A.H. Guided in a course which Julian promised him would eclipse the glory of Ṭāriḳ, he struck out a new line of victory, stormed Sidonia, Carmona, and the ancient capital Seville.Merida,
94 A.H. Merida was laid siege to, and the walls battered by engines. It resisted many months, and the garrison fought with desperate bravery. A spot, our Historian tells us, was still in his day called the "Martyrs' bastion," where a column of Muslims was cut to pieces by a party issuing from a hole beneath the wall. At last the city fell, and Mūsa, on the way to Toledo, met Ṭāriḳ at Talavera. He received him angrily, struck him on the head with his whip, and demanded an account of the booty. Friendly relations restored, the famous table was given up to Mūsa.[2] The generals then separated, Ṭāriḳ for Saragossa, and Mūsa for Salamanca and Astorga.Saragossa. Saragossa held out long, and it was not till Mūsa had rejoined his lieutenant there that by their united efforts it was stormed. Mūsa then continued his victorious progress to the extreme north-east of Spain, and occupying Tarragona and Barcelona, reached as far even as to Gerona, on the border of France. There, tradition says, he was confronted by an image with the words engraved, "Sons of Ismāʿīl hitherto and no farther—Return!" and so he turned back.[3] Ṭāriḳ, taking a more southerly course, overran the entire coast, reducing Tortosa on the Ebro, Valencia, and other leading cities on his way.
- ↑ On the Muslims in Europe, see S. P. Scott, History of the Moorish Empire in Europe.
- ↑ One of the feet was wanting, supplied by a golden substitute. More of this in note below.
- ↑ The tradition is curiously proleptic, and shows how fable often enters our annals. The words given are: "Sons of Ismāʿīl! here is your limit. Go back! And if ye ask why, I tell you, that otherwise ye shall return to discord among yourselves, so that ye shall slay and behead one another."
