Tariq+Ibn-Zayid

=Tariq Ibn-Ziyad= Tariq Ibn-Ziyad was born in November 15, 689 and died April 11, 720. Tariq was a Muslim Umayyad (large Muslim dynasty) general in the 700s. He led the conquest of Visigothic Spain in 711 ordered by Umayyad Caliph Al-Walid I. The Visigoths were a Germanic tribe also known as the Barbarians who were famous for defeating the Romans and conquering most of Northern Europe including Spain. Tariq was a Important military commander in the Iberian Peninsula. He was born in Algeria a country in North Africa. Tariq was initially a deputy under Musa Ibn Nusair and was sent to North Morocco to help launch the conquest of the Visogothic Kingdom (Iberian Peninsula).

Gibraltar comes from the Arab word Jabal Tariq which in English means the mountain of Tariq, named after himself, because Tariq invaded the Visigoth kingdom in Iberia by landing in what is now Gibraltar. One of the many legends surrounding the Muslim general is the story of his landing in Gibraltar. In April of 711, he landed with a good sized army, ready to seize the Iberian Peninsula. His men faced an huge Visigothic army and should have stood very little chance. So, Tariq burned their ships, so that they had no where to go but forward through their enemies. He gave an inspiring speech, telling his troops that now the only option was to fight for their lives - their swords against the massive Visigoth army. He told them that he'd put himself in the same situation, fight or die, and that he would be in the front of the charge, where it's most dangerous, leading the way. He said, if God is willing, we will prevail, but if I don't survive, at least I've had the pleasure of delivering you here and knowing that one of you will step up and become our champion.

His motivational speaking must have been good. Tariq Ibn-Ziyad's army swept through Spain and defeated the Visigoths in just a few months.