What Was the Islamic Conquest of Iberia?: Understanding the New Debate

The Islamic Conquest of Iberia in 711 CE has been debated, revealing methodological and moral questions that remain vital to the study of the distant past. This volume offers novel perspectives on the controversy and the latest research on the events of 711, demonstrating the promise and challenges for a new generation of scholarship.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 110 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Islamic Conquest of Iberia, a historical event that occurred in the year 711 CE, has sparked a significant and ongoing debate among scholars. This conquest, which saw the arrival of Islamic armies on the Iberian Peninsula, has long been considered a uncontroversial fact, but recent years have seen it become the subject of intense scholarly scrutiny. The debate has reached a particularly fevered pitch in Spain, where scholars have been questioning the historical accuracy of this conquest and its implications for understanding the past and the present.

Understanding the New Debate: The Islamic Conquest of Iberia brings together leading scholars from various fields to offer an introduction to this ongoing debate. The book aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the terms and contours of the controversy, from its emergence in the late nineteenth century to its contemporary recrudescence. The authors argue that this dispute reveals methodological and moral questions that remain vital to the study of the distant past, questions that cannot be easily resolved and have far-reaching consequences for the present.

The volume begins by providing an historical background to the controversy. It explores the various theories and interpretations that have been put forward over the years, including those that argue for the historical accuracy of the conquest and those that challenge it. The authors also discuss the political, social, and cultural factors that contributed to the emergence of the debate and its significance for understanding the history of the Iberian Peninsula.

In the subsequent chapters, the authors present novel perspectives on the controversy. They explore the latest research on the events of 711, using a range of historical, literary, and material cultural evidence. These exemplary studies demonstrate the promise and challenges for a new generation of scholarship, as they offer fresh insights into the complexities of the Islamic Conquest and its impact on the history of the region.

One of the key themes that emerges from the book is the importance of interdisciplinary scholarship. The authors argue that the study of the Islamic Conquest of Iberia requires a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on expertise from various fields such as history, literature, art, and cultural studies. By combining these different perspectives, scholars can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the event and its implications for the past and the present.

Another important theme is the ethical considerations involved in historical research. The authors argue that the study of the distant past should be approached with sensitivity and respect for the cultures and communities that were affected by historical events. They emphasize the need for ethical scholarship, which involves careful consideration of the sources and methods used in historical research and the potential impact of these methods on the interpretation of the past.

The Islamic Conquest of Iberia is a complex and multifaceted historical event that has sparked a significant and ongoing debate among scholars. Understanding the New Debate: The Islamic Conquest of Iberia provides a valuable introduction to this debate, offering a comprehensive overview of the terms and contours of the controversy, as well as the latest research on the events of 711. The book emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary scholarship, ethical considerations, and the need for a nuanced understanding of the distant past. By engaging with these issues, scholars can gain a deeper appreciation of the complexities of the Islamic Conquest and its impact on the history of the Iberian Peninsula.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367762162