Hispania flourished after the fall of Rome. A vibrant culture produced scholars and aqueducts like that found in Segovia.
Dynastic battles between Christian and Muslim kingdoms were frequent, as were palace insurrections; this period eventually gave birth to El Cid’s legend.
Reconquista reached its pinnacle when Catholic Monarchs captured Granada, ending Moorish rule over Spain. But even after this success, old habits persisted.
Roman Empire
The Julio-Claudian Dynasty saw mixed fortunes among their rulers. While capable administrators, several proved oppressive tyrants; Nero in particular left administration to his capable advisers while asserting himself with extreme violence.
Diocletian ultimately brought an end to this crisis by creating a four-emperor tetrarchy, two in the West and two in the East, to govern. This restored order and unity to his empire.
Visigoths
Visigoths had an indelible mark on Spanish culture that endured even after they lost power. Illuminated Beatus manuscripts feature their influence with vibrant symbols-rich styles that combine Christian iconography with pre-Islamic Visigothic decorative patterns from illuminated manuscripts preserved from pre-Islamic art forms.
Visigothic kings recognized the dangers associated with Arianism and adopted Nicene orthodoxy instead. They held councils to discuss religious doctrine and created a new law code which was followed by their successors.
Muslims
Muslim rule in Spain, commonly referred to as Al-Andalus, reached its pinnacle under the Umayyad caliphate of Cordoba during the 10th century. This period witnessed Islamic civilization at its height with great tolerance shown toward Christians and Jews alike.
Moorish society was comprised of Arabs and Berbers from North Africa who coexisted peacefully alongside Christians, Jews and Muslims.
Spanish Empire
The Spanish Empire spread across Europe, North and South America, having an enduring effect on American history even today.
The crown encouraged scientific exploration of its overseas territories and this work had an influence on the Enlightenment. Repartimiento was an obligation placed upon indigenous people to work in Spanish mines for an set number of days each year.
In 1936, right-wing military leaders initiated a coup that kicked off three years of civil war in Spain. General Francisco Franco purge the nation of any Republicans.
Spanish Revolution
Following Napoleonic era Spain suffered through multiple foreign wars and domestic unrest, eventually losing much of its colonial empire to United States over time.
General Espartero gained popularity as a war hero and demanded liberal reforms from Queen Regent. Unfortunately, his harsh leadership caused sporadic uprisings which had to be violently put down before General Franco won the Spanish Civil War in 1939.
Modern Spain
The Enlightenment brought Spain into modernity, as new ideas and an emphasis on freedom propelled its progress forward. But harsh policies such as those contributing to the Black Legend left a bitter legacy that marginalized Spain in Renaissance Europe.
The Bourbon Dynasty’s reforms and involvement in the Peninsular War caused division throughout France. This resulted in numerous conspiracies which caused three years of turmoil for government.