Eighth-century Spanish chroniclers narrated the Muslim conquest without theological explanation.

Evidence

In a section devoted to the reign of the caliph Walîd I (705–15), the chronicler recounts the Muslim conquests in Asia Minor (Romania), India, and the Mediterranean islands. The conquest of Spain receives one sentence: “In the western regions the Kingdom of the Goths, for so long and so solidly established in Spain, was invaded by a general named Mûsâ, with his army, was conquered and made to pay tribute.” — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 471 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Yet these isolated passages are outweighed by the straightforward narratives of the battles and political intrigues of Arab rulers. Furthermore, the author does not once express any animosity toward the religion of these Arabs: indeed, he says nothing at all about it. — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 481 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Other Latin writers portray the Saracen invaders in similar terms. The Chronicle of Fredegar (c. 658), earliest Latin chronicle to mention the Arab victory over Heraclius, describes the invasions in semiapocalyptic terms: Heraclius is warned by astrologers of his impending defeat at the hands of a circumcised race; he opens the mythical gates of the north (built by Alexander the Great), unleashing a hoard of northern barbarians on the Saracens, but to no avail. In the early eighth century, the Apocalypse of Pseudo-Methodius was translated into Latin, offering hopes of an imminent, dramatic end to the Saracen invasions. Yet in their descriptions of the fresh waves of Muslim raids into Europe during the ninth century, Christian chroniclers continue to portray Muslims as scourges of God for their sins, as formidable military opponents, but not as religious adversaries. … Even pilgrims to the Holy Land say little about the religion of the Saracens: eighth-century pilgrim Willibaldus prayed alongside Muslims in the church at Nazareth that had been divided (following a common Muslim practice) between Christians and Muslims. Yet he refers to them as “pagans” and grumbles that they really want to destroy the church. — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 455 (#contradicts, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: The Chronicle of 741 treated Spain’s Muslim conquest as an unremarkable event.; Eighth-century Spanish Christian chroniclers showed no hostility toward Islam itself — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 481; Some early Iberian chroniclers treated the Muslim conquest as unremarkable history — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 471 (+15 more)

Broader Connections

• Eighth-century Spanish Christian chroniclers showed no hostility toward Islam itself #corroborates (1.00) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 481
• Some early Iberian chroniclers treated the Muslim conquest as unremarkable history #corroborates (1.00) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 471
• Early chroniclers treated the Muslim conquest of Spain as minor news #corroborates (1.00) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 471
• Eighth-century Latin chroniclers saw Muslim invaders as divine scourges, not religious adversaries. #contradicts (1.00) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 455
• Eighth-century Spanish chroniclers narrating Muslim rule were already partially Arabized #complicates (0.85) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 486
• Medieval Christian anti-Islamic polemics were written without personal knowledge of Islam #complicates (0.80) — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 358
• Medieval Christian chroniclers had confused accounts of pre-Islamic Arabia #complicates (0.80) — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 456
• Medieval Christian knowledge of Islam served polemics, not understanding #complicates (0.80) — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 267
• Christian polemicists read Muslim texts without Muslim consultation #complicates (0.80) — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 568
• Medieval Christian polemicists attacked Islam without knowing the Koran #complicates (0.75) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 883
• Franciscan martyr narratives depict Muslims as generic Roman-style persecutors without knowing Islam. #complicates (0.75) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1123
• Western chroniclers ignored Muslim conquests until they reached Europe #complicates (0.75) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 451
• Medieval polemicists ignored known facts to fabricate Muslim heretical intent #complicates (0.75)
• Aragon’s crown claimed authority over Muslims without theological justification #complicates (0.75)
• Medieval Christian descriptions of Islam omitted Qur’anic recitation entirely. #complicates (0.75) — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 1196