CHAPTER V.

THE INVASION AND CONQUEST OF SPAIN.

General Condition and Physical Features of the Spanish Peninsula--Various Classes of the Population--Supremacy of the Church--Tyranny of the Visigothic Kings--Fatal Policy of Witiza--Accession of Roderick--Count Julian--Invasion of Tarik--Battle of the Guadalete--Its Momentous Results--Progress of the Moslems--Arrival of Musa--His Success--Immense Booty secured by the Victors--Quarrel of Tarik and Musa--Interference of the Khalif--Submission of the Goths--Musa’s Vast Scheme of Conquest--The Two Generals ordered to Damascus--The Triumphal Procession through Africa--Fate of Musa--Causes and Effects of the Moslem Occupation of Spain 204