The Visigothic Kingdom of Toledo

[Argeus the Paladin]

I only learnt about this interim kingdom between the fall of the Roman empire and Medieval Spain short of two days ago.

Could anyone share their wisdom on this little-known piece of history?

[CiviC]

Actually it wasn't an interim kingdom, it was a very important "Barbarian" kingdom for over two centuries.

[MathiasOfAthens]

Actually it wasn't an interim kingdom, it was a very important "Barbarian" kingdom for over two centuries.

But it was done in by its own corrupted leaders when the berbers invaded. It was very important though, kept roman law, language, and culture alive in the west. While the Suebians led lives of debauchery the Goths in Spain still considered themselves at least partially roman while their subjects enjoyed the rights of Hispanic Romans until the Berbers invaded.

[Ludicus]

Until the 6th century, Visigoths and Hispano-Romans were formally treated as two distinctive communities within the Visigothic kingdom with separate laws ans law-courts, and separate Arian and Catholic churches. Intermarriage between the two peoples was proihibited (eventually legalized by Leovigild)
But after the conversion of the Visigothics to catholicism, the differences faded, and there was now one church/one legal system. The Visigoths even adopted Latin names and Visigothic dress was abandoned.
In western Iberia, the structure of society under the Visigoths did not differ greatly from what had been in later Roman times.

[DAVIDE]

409 AD, first migratory wave by Suebians, Vandals and Alani in Iberia
411 AD, they became Foederati and estabilished within the Roman provinces of Baetica, Lusitania and Gallaecia
412 AD, second migratory wave by Visigoths
415 AD, Visigoths accepted to become Foederati
416 AD, Visigoth as allies of Rome, came back in peninsula Iberica to defeat Vandals and Alanii. At the return in Aquitania Visigoths received permission to expand their territory and set Tolouse as their capital.
429 AD, after Vandals left Iberia, Suebians expanded their territory setting Emerita Augusta as their capital
455 AD, Valentinian III asked help to Visigoths, the army led by Theuderic III crossed again the Pirenees to help Romans
456 AD, Suebian troops are defeated in the battle of river Urbicus. Capturing of enemy king Rechiar and Suebians forced to retreat till Gallaecia
In successive decade Visigoth conquered a big part of Iberia
472-476 AD, last imperial Roman troops are kicked out from Iberia

[RomanSoldier9001]

I am sorry but you ever heard of wikipedia?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visigothic_Kingdom

[Visitor13]

I am sorry but you ever heard of wikipedia?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visigothic_Kingdom

I'm sure he has - which is why he's asking here

Anyway, check out Roger Collins' Visigothic Spain 409-711 for a good account of this kingdom's history. But be aware that many of its aspects are still shrouded in mystery due to a lack of sources.

[Magister Militum Flavius Aetius]

The visigothic kingdom stretched from the loire to the pyreenes from 418 to 455, and constantly attacked narbo and arles, Aetius held them off and then the romans called on them to fight the suebes, The Romans had control of spain in the form of hispalis, valentia, toletum, carthago nova, and tarraco along with the surrounding provinces until the 470s

[pannonian]

Reopened after reconsideration.

[hellheaven1987]

Well, they got screwed both by Franks and Moors, in the end got pushed into North-West of Iberia.