The earliest documented Jewish presence in the Iberian Peninsula is often traced to the Roman period, during the first centuries CE. After enduring hardship under the Visigoths, Jewish communities thrived for centuries under Muslim rule in Al-Andalus following the Umayyad conquest, which ushered in a golden age. However, their fortunes declined with the Christian Reconquista. In 1492, the Alhambra Decree by the Catholic Monarchs expelled Jews from Spain, and in 1496, King Manuel I of Portugal issued a similar edict for Jews and Muslims. These actions led to migrations, mass conversions, and executions. By the late 15th century, Sephardic Jews had been largely expelled and dispersed across North Africa, Western Asia, Southern and Southeastern Europe, settling in established Jewish communities or pioneering new ones along trade routes like the Silk Road.
the earliest documented jewish presence in the iberian peninsula is often traced to the roman period during the first centuries ce after enduring hardship under the visigoths jewish communities thrived for centuries under muslim rule in al-andalus following the umayyad conquest which ushered in a golden age however their fortunes declined with the christian reconquista in 1492 the alhambra decree by the catholic monarchs expelled jews from spain and in 1496 king manuel i of portugal issued a similar edict for jews and muslims these actions led to migrations mass conversions and executions by the late 15th century sephardic jews had been largely expelled and dispersed across north africa western asia southern and southeastern europe settling in established jewish communities or pioneering new ones along trade routes like the silk road