Conquerors and Chroniclers of Early Mediaeval Spain

To the Hispano-Romans, the Visigoths who invaded Spain in the mid-fifth century were heretical barbarians. But Leovigild's military success and Reccared's conversion to Catholic Christianity led to more positive assessments of the Gothic role in Iberian history. John of Biclaro and Isidore of Seville wrote histories of the Goths, portraying as the protagonists of a new independent Christianity in Spain. Christian historians of the eighth and ninth century tried to come to terms with the Muslim invasions in the same way, but this was more difficult as these invaders did not convert to the religion of the conquered peoples. The "Mozarabic Chronicle of 754" and the ninth-century "Chronicle of Alfonso III" are examples of this genre, which tried to interpret recent travails in a positive light. As well as the texts, this volume contains essays on them.