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Abstract

The Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula, also known as the conquest of Spain, occurred between 711 and 726 AD. The conquest was influenced by internal divisions within the Visigothic Kingdom, the Umayyad Caliphate's power, and the "Witizans" faction seeking help to overthrow Roderick. The conquest began in 711 when a Muslim army led by Tariq ibn Ziyad defeated the Visigothic forces in Gibraltar. The Muslims rapidly conquered most of the Iberian Peninsula, establishing Al-Andalus, a new province within the Umayyad Caliphate. The conquest had a profound impact on the region, including religious and cultural exchange, economic development, and political changes. The conquest left a lasting legacy on the region's culture, politics, and society.