Visigoths
José-Luis Senra
The history of the Visigoths constitutes an important period transition from Antiquity to Middle Ages. Through a fractured and troublesome process settlement, political-religious stabilization, territorial rule, established one most influential developed European kingdoms toward latter part their reign. Like other so-called Barbarian peoples, they oscillated between perpetuation omnipresent Roman culture that had replaced own original contributions (Guzmán Armario 2005, cited under General Overviews). Their legislation, form government, institutions reached maturity in 7th century, point at which achieved both religious unity complete rule Iberian Peninsula. Numismatic testimony allows us verify this gradual attaining unique identity. In some cases, pursued legacy intense degree. We know, for example, land-owning aristocracy maintained latifundium system with use slaves or free farmers. From view administration justice, essential text was Visigothic Code, Liber Iudiciorum, came into effect middle century adaption older materials (Pérez-Prendes y Muñoz-Arraco 2004, Institutions) evolved throughout second half constituted key component transformation medieval Spanish kingdoms. numerous models issued by successive councils produced effective social coordination. Because monarchy beset lack continuity problems succession, during final days instituted new procedure monarchic legitimation: anointment (beginning least 672 Wamba), became highest expression monarchy, divine grace crystallized theocratic power. Its efficacy as tool legitimation is evidenced fact it adopted later Carolingian monarchy. continuation substrate also evident ecclesiastical organization, shelter energetic Christianity allowed reorganization spaces favor figure bishop (Ripoll Gurt 2000, Urbanism). episcopal groups were promoted visual platforms civil power held bishops held, who defenders urban spaces. Centers devotion martyrs built outside cities; these true centers cohesion actively revitalized suburban areas. era witnessed foundation centers, stand out palatial character: Reccopolis, initiative King Leovigild, genuine exercise emulating Byzantine Empires (e.g., Adrianopole, Constantinople, Nicaea) (Olmo Enciso Historians traditionally, although not unanimously, have associated Reccopolis site Cerro de la Oliva (in Zorita los Canes, Guadalajara, near Madrid). Outside cities, several rural monastic settlements role nuclei interaction landowners Hispano-Roman farming population (Castellanos García 1999, Monasticism). Beyond phenomenon hermitage, already existed 5th saw establishment various rules, yet given our scarce archaeological knowledge, we are far understanding ways establishments planned (Campos Ruiz Roca Meliá 1971, Visigoths’ revitalization culture, took place gradually until beginning following Empire’s collapse late often ignored; however, on basis early writers such Isidore Seville, Eugenius Toledo, Braulio Zaragoza, Julian Ildefonsus authors begun talk about “renaissance” (Díaz Díaz 1976, Education Culture). Spain therefore denotes growth would come end fall kingdom 8th century. Nonetheless, study architecture has survived current does offer any clear conclusions, due debate surrounding chronology many structures. Moreover, been even more difficult trace comprehensive typologies and, it, detect possible liturgical variations based changing contexts. standstill scholarly “Visigothists” “Mozarabists” concerning interpretation architectural structures compels trust progressive results 2012, Architecture Archaeology). can conclude affirming signifies moment utmost importance, only transfer large rich legacy, but subsequent creation mentalities historical mythification period. These progressively be drawn over national identity Spain, starting modern age (Geary 2002, Overviews), expense knowledge Andalusi followed it.
Art History