MUZA IBN NOSEYR, the Arab conqueror of Spain, was born 640 A.D. He dis played bravery and high military talents in the contests of that turbulent period, so much so that he was appointed by time caliph general of the army which was raised for the conquest of Africa in 698-99. After an insignificant expedition into the interior of Africa, he set out in 707 for Mauritania. conquering the kindred tribes of eastern Barbary, and enrolling their warriors under his standard; and by 709 the whole of northern Africa, including the Gothic strongholds on the coast, acknowledged the author ity of the caliph. A.t this period the Gothic monarchy in Spain was in a state of com plete disorganization. and Muza Ibn Noseyr, seizing, the favorable opportunity thus pre sented, sent his lieut., Tarik Ibn Zeivd, in April, 711, to make an incursion into Spain. Tarik landed at Gibraltar. marched inland to the banks of the Guadalete, where he was met by Roderic the Gothic In the battle which ensued the Goths were decisively vanquished, their 16117 perished in time waters of the Guadalete, and the whole of south ern Spain lay at the mercy of the victor. 3Inza Ibn Noseyr, on hearing of these suc cesses, sent orders to Tarik to halt for further instructions; but the lieutenant. flushed
with success, pressed on to the very center of Spain, and seized Toledo, the capital of the Gothic kingdom. Muza Ibn Noseyr immediately set out for Spain at the head of 18,000 men (June, 712). took Seville, Carmona. Merida, and other towns, and then marched upon Toledo, where lie joined Tarik. whom lie caused to be hasdnadoed and incarcerated, hut afterwards reinstated in obedience to ;in order from the caliph. 3Inza Ibn Noseyr then marched first n w. and then e., subduing the country as lie went; lie then crossed the Pyreneemrinto France, hut returned to Spain, where he and Tank received messages from the caliph, commanding their immediate presence at Damascus; Tarik immediately obeyed, but Muza Bin Noseyr delayed till a second mes sage was sent to hint. On reaching Damascus he was treated with neglect, awl, ou the accession of the caliph Suleiman, was cast into prison, and nuilcted in 200,000 pieces of gold; his two sons were deprived of their governments of Knit-wan and Tangier; and the third son, who governed Spain in his father's absence, was beheaded, and his heal sent to Mum Muza Ibn Noseyr died soon after in the greatest poverty, at Iledjaz, 717 A.1).