Visigothic Hispania

6th-8th centuries

Salto de línea The Goths, who had entered Hispania as foederati, tribes bound by treaty to fight for Rome, settled in the Iberian Peninsula in the 6th century: the Suebi and the Visigoths managed to form kingdoms at the same time as the Emperor Justinian created the short-lived Byzantine province Spania in the south and south-east. King Leovigild (572-586) subdued the Suebi and, most importantly, created the kingdom of Toledo from which he directed unification of the territory. His son Recaredo renounced Arianism and carried out the religious unification of Hispania.

Toletum, Corduba, Emerita, Recopolis, Illici and Eio are some of the Visigothic cities of which we know splendid architectural reliefs, basilicas and palaces, and even town quarters. From their necropolises, weapons and ornamental objects such as belt buckles and brooches have reached us. One example of the rich Visigothic metalwork is the Treasure of Guarrazar, Guadamur, Toledo, a number of crowns and crosses offered to the church by kings and nobles.

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