[80] “At this period, while the inhabitants of Granada were sunk in
indolence, one of those men whose natural and impassioned eloquence
has sometimes aroused a people to deeds of heroism, raised his voice
in the midst of the city, and awakened the inhabitants from their
lethargy. Twenty thousand enthusiasts, ranged under his banners, were
prepared to sally forth, with the fury of desperation, to attack the
besiegers, when Abo Abdeli, more afraid of his subjects than of the
enemy, resolved immediately to capitulate, and made terms with the
Christians, by which it was agreed that the Moors should be allowed the
free exercise of their religion and laws; should be permitted, if they
thought proper, to depart unmolested with their effects to Africa; and
that he himself, if he remained in Spain, should retain an extensive
estate, with houses and slaves, or be granted an equivalent in money if
he preferred retiring to Barbary.”--See Jacob’s _Travel in Spain_.
[81] Azarques, Zegris, Almoradis, different tribes of the Moors of
Granada, all of high distinction.
[82] The conquest of Granada was greatly facilitated by the civil
dissensions which at this period prevailed in the city. Several of the
Moorish tribes, influenced by private feuds, were fully prepared for
submission to the Spaniards; others had embraced the cause of Muley el
Zagal, the uncle and competitor for the throne of Abdallah, (or Abo
Abdeli,) and all was jealousy and animosity.
[83] Tarik, the first leader of the Arabs and Moors into Spain.
“The Saracens landed at the pillar or point of Europe. The corrupt
and familiar appellation of Gibraltar (Gebel al Tarik) describes
the mountain of Tarik; and the intrenchments of his camp were the
first outline of those fortifications which, in the hands of our
countrymen, have resisted the art and power of the house of Bourbon.
The adjacent governors informed the court of Toledo of the descent
and progress of the Arabs; and the defeat of his lieutenant Edeco,
who had been commanded to seize and bind the presumptuous strangers,
first admonished Roderic of the magnitude of the danger. At the royal
summons, the dukes and counts, the bishops and nobles of the Gothic
monarchy, assembled at the head of their followers; and the title of
king of the Romans, which is employed by an Arabic historian, may be
excused by the close affinity of language, religion, and manners,
between the nations of Spain.”--Gibbon’s _Decline and Fall_, &c. vol.
ix. p. 472, 473.
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