Tarik’s Speech to the Muslim Army

Roderic arrived on the banks of the Guadalete with a formidable army, which most historians compute at one hundred thousand cavalry.

Continuing Saracens Invade Spain,
our selection from History of the Mahometan Dynasties in Spain by Abu-l-‘Abbas Ahmad ibn Mohammed al-Maqqari published in 1592. The selection is presented in four easy 5 minute installments. For works benefiting from the latest research see the “More information” section at the bottom of these pages.

Previously in Saracens Invade Spain.

Time: 711 AD
Place: Guadalete, Spain

Roderic arrived on the banks of the Guadalete with a formidable army, which most historians compute at one hundred thousand cavalry; although Ibnu Khaldun makes it amount to forty thousand men only. Roderic brought all his treasures and military stores in carts: he himself came in a litter placed between two mules, having over his head an awning richly set with pearls, rubies and emeralds. On the approach of this formidable host the Moslems did not lose courage but prepared to meet their adversary. Tarik assembled his men, comforted them by his words and after rendering the due praises to the Almighty God and returning thanks for what had already been accomplished, proceeded to implore his mighty help for the future. He then encouraged the Moslems and kindled their enthusiasm with the following address:

Whither can you fly? — the enemy is in your front, the sea at your back. By Allah! there is no salvation for you but in your courage and perseverance. Consider your situation: here you are on this island, like so many orphans cast upon the world; you will soon be met by a powerful enemy, surrounding you on all sides like the infuriated billows of a tempestuous sea and sending against you his countless warriors, drowned in steel and provided with every store and description of arms. What can you oppose to them? You have no other weapons than your swords, no provisions but those that you may snatch from the hands of your enemies; you must therefore attack them immediately or otherwise your wants will increase; the gales of victory may no longer blow in your favor and perchance the fear that lurks in the hearts of your enemies may be changed into indomitable courage.

“Banish all fear from your hearts, trust that victory shall be ours and that the barbarian king will not be able to withstand the shock of our arms. Here he comes to make us the master of his cities and castles and to deliver into our hands his countless treasures; and if you only seize the opportunity now presented, it may perhaps be the means of your becoming the owners of them, besides saving yourselves from certain death. Do not think that I impose upon you a task from which I shrink myself or that I try to conceal from you the dangers attending this our expedition. No; you have certainly a great deal to encounter but know that if you only suffer for a while, you will reap in the end an abundant harvest of pleasures and enjoyments. And do not imagine that while I speak to you I mean not to act as I speak; for as my interest in this affair is greater, so will my behavior on this occasion surpass yours. You must have heard numerous accounts of this island, you must know how the Grecian maidens, as handsome as houris, their necks glittering with innumerable pearls and jewels, their bodies clothed with tunics of costly silks, sprinkled with gold, are waiting your arrival, reclining on soft couches in the sumptuous palaces of crowned lords and princes.

“You know well that the caliph Abdu-l-Malek Ibnu-l-walid has chosen you, like so many heroes, from among the brave; you know that the great lords of this island are willing to make you their sons and brethren by marriage, if you only rush on like so many brave men to the fight and behave like true champions and valiant knights; you know that the recompenses of God await you if you are prepared to uphold his words and proclaim his religion in this island; and, lastly, that all the spoil shall be yours and of such Moslems as may be with you.

“Bear in mind that God Almighty will select, according to this promise, those that distinguish themselves most among you and grant them due reward, both in this world and in the future; and know likewise that I shall be the first to set you the example and to put in practice what I recommend you to do; for it is my intention, on the meeting of the two hosts, to attack the Christian tyrant Roderic and kill him with my own hand, if God be pleased. When you see me bearing against him, charge along with me; if I kill him, the victory is ours; if I am killed before I reach him, do not trouble yourselves about me but fight as if I were still alive and among you and follow up my purpose; for the moment they see their King fall, these barbarians are sure to disperse. If, however, I should be killed, after inflicting death upon their King, appoint a man from among you who unites both courage and experience and may command you in this emergency and follow up the success. If you attend to my instructions, we are sure of the victory.”

When Tarik had thus addressed his soldiers and exhorted them to fight with courage and to face the dangers of war with a stout heart — when he had thus recommended them to make a simultaneous attack upon Roderic’s men and promised them abundant reward if they routed their enemies — their countenances were suddenly expanded with joy their hopes were strengthened, the gales of victory began to blow on their side and they all unanimously answered him: “We are ready to follow thee, O Tarik! We shall all, to one man, stand by thee and fight for thee; nor could we avoid it were we otherwise disposed — victory is our only hope of salvation.”

After this Tarik mounted his horse and his men did the same; and they all passed that night in constant watch for fear of the enemy. On the following morning, when day dawned, both armies prepared for battle; each general formed his cavalry and his infantry and, the signal being given, the armies met with a shock, similar to that of two mountains dashing against each other.

King Roderic came, borne on a throne and having over his head an awning of variegated silk to guard him from the rays of the sun, surrounded by warriors, cased in bright steel, with fluttering pennons and a profusion of banners and standards.

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