Ardo facts for kids

Ardo (who also might have been called Ardonus) was the last king of the Visigoths in Hispania. He ruled from around 713 or 714 until his death in 720 or 721.

When Ardo became king, the Visigothic Kingdom was already much smaller and weaker. This was because of the Arab conquests that had happened in the few years before. His kingdom likely only included a region called Septimania and parts of what is now Catalonia.

Ardo's Reign as King

Ardo is mentioned in one old list of Visigothic kings. It says he ruled for seven years. Around 716, Arab forces crossed the Pyrenees mountains. They then invaded Narbonensis, which was the last area still controlled by the Goths.

Defending the Kingdom

For the next three years, Ardo probably worked hard to defend what was left of his kingdom. Historians believe he might have fought bravely until the very end, just like the king before him. This happened after the Arabs took the city of Narbonne. Soon after, they conquered all the remaining parts of the old Visigothic kingdom.

Possible Later Role

Some historians think Ardo might be the same person as someone named Ardobastus. If so, he survived the invasion. He then negotiated a peace agreement. In this role, he represented Christians as the "Count of the Christians of al-Andalus." This important title was passed down to several people for many years.

See also

In Spanish: Ardón (rey) para niños