Chronicle of 741 facts for kids
The Chronicle of 741 is an old history book written in Latin around the years 741 to 743. It was created in a place called al-Andalus, which was the part of Spain ruled by Muslims at that time. This book is very important because it's the first known Christian writing made while Muslims were in charge of Iberia (modern-day Spain and Portugal). It helps us understand what life was like for Christians living under Muslim rule.
What's Inside the Book?
The Chronicle of 741 is much shorter than another famous book, the Chronicle of 754. It doesn't talk much about Spanish history. The first 14 parts briefly mention the Visigothic kings, who ruled Spain before the Muslims arrived. These parts were taken from another book by Isidore of Seville.
The rest of the book switches between talking about the Byzantine Emperors (leaders of the Eastern Roman Empire) and the early Arab leaders, starting with Muhammad. Some parts of the book might have come from older works that are now lost. The chronicle also briefly mentions the Arab invasions of North Africa, Spain, France, and parts of the Middle East.
Most of the information in the book wasn't new when it was written. Its main value is that it shows us what the author and his time period were like.
Who Wrote the Chronicle?
The Chronicle of 741 is interesting because it seems to support the Arabs, especially the Umayyad rulers. Because of this, people have different ideas about who the author might have been:
- Maybe the author was a Christian who became a Muslim.
- Perhaps the author was a Christian who simply liked or agreed with the Arabs.
- It's also possible the author was a Christian who converted to Islam and wrote the book to promote the Arab rulers.
We don't know for sure where the author lived, but cities like Toledo, Cordoba, Seville, or Mérida have been suggested.
When Was It Written?
We know the book couldn't have been written before the year 741. This is because it mentions the Byzantine Emperor Leo III and how long he ruled, which ended in 741.
One expert, Martín, pointed out that the book uses the words "nostris temporibus" (meaning "our times") when it says that the caliph (the Muslim ruler) was a great-grandson of Caliph Marwan I. The first great-grandson of Marwan I to become caliph was al-Walid II, who ruled from 743 to 744. This suggests that the book was likely written around 743.
See also
In Spanish: Crónica bizantina-arábiga para niños
