HISTORY. 4th session: Visigoths. The muslim conquest.

Contents: pages 22-23 and 30.

1. Who were the Visigoths?

2. How was it that they ended in Spain in the second half of the V century AD?

3. There was, nonetheless, a barbarian group which could not be expelled. Which and where?

4. Visigoths dominated half of what is now France, why and when were they confined to Spain, with their capital city in Toledo?

5. The kingdom of Toledo achieved its territorial unification through the defeat of 4 foes. Name them:

6. What was the relevant factor which made the monarchy stronger?

7. Unification also affected religion. How? Remember goths were already christians.

8. And what about law?

9. Kings and nobles ruled. Who else? Clue: note this was the beginning of a very long and complicated relationship.

10. Name social and economic consequences of the decadence of Rome and the arrival of the Goths.

11. Rome and Christianity were the main references of visigothic culture. Name examples.

12. For which two arts were Visigoths specially gifted?

13. Which architectural innovation did they pass on to muslim Spain?

14. Can you guess an economic difference between byzantine and visigothic territories in Spain? *

15. Why was it so easy for muslims to conquer Spain at the beginning of the VIII century AD?*

16. What was the muslim dual strategy? Name examples.

17. Why does the book talk about a second phase in the conquest between 716 and 732?

18. What defensive measure did Carolingians take to prevent further muslim invasions?

19. How did the river Duero get to be a no man´s land and the frontier between muslims and Christians?

20. Which racial factor is relevant to the history of Al Andalus?