Muslim Invasion Of Spain

The Muslim Invasion of Spain in 711 was a defining moment in Spanish history. It significantly impacted Spanish culture and its various counterparts. The various pieces that make up Spanish culture include Spain’s social structure, its political structure and its Christian heritage. All of these segments of Spanish Culture were distinctly affected by the Muslim Invasion of Spain in 711. While the initial effects of the Muslim invasion distilled into more indirect consequences later on, the most significant and pronounced effects can be seen in the first couple centuries after the invasion, from 711 to 930. Although it is undeniable that the Muslim Invasion had a momentous impact on the state of the Iberian Peninsula, many scholars have debated …show more content…
There is no denying that, throughout Spanish history, there were a number of conflicts between the Christians and the Muslims. Whether these conflicts themselves were positive or negative for the Spanish people as a whole is debatable however, there is no denying that, while the Muslims fought for Islam, the Christian motivations in these conflicts were undeniably rooted in their faith. In “The Structure of Spanish History”, Américo Castro discusses Islam’s rule in strengthening the Christian sects within the Iberian Peninsula in detail. Castro emphasizes the importance of Saint James the Apostle, linking the him to the core of Christian values which were already present before the Muslim arrival. However, Castro further accentuates the fact that the Muslim presence only made faith in Saint James stronger among the Christians of the Iberian Peninsula. Castro asserts, “Faith in the physical presence of the Apostle gave spiritual support to those who fought against the Moors….” Essentially, the Christians saw their conflicts with the Moors, or the Muslims, as the ultimate test of their faith. Castro further asserts that Islam played a significant role in bringing about the prosperity of these Christian sects. He states, “If Spain had not been submerged by Islam, the cult of Santiago of Galicia would not have prospered.” In this regard, Castro identifies the role of Islam as an essential one in that the various sects of Christianity which emerged in the Iberian Peninsula, even before the Muslim Invasion of 711, would not have been as strong if it wasn’t for the conflicts which ensued between the Christians and the Muslims. Ultimately, the Muslim Invasion of 711, as well as the conflicts which resulted from this invasion, were responsible in ensuring the presence of Christian heritage within Spanish