De rebus Hispaniae facts for kids
De rebus Hispaniae (say "Dee RAY-boos His-PAN-ee-ay") is a very old history book. It was also known as Historia gothica. This important book tells the story of the Iberian peninsula, which is where modern-day Spain and Portugal are located. It was written in Latin by a smart leader named Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada. He was the Archbishop of Toledo, a very important religious position. He wrote it in the early 1200s for King Ferdinand III of Castile.
Contents
What is De rebus Hispaniae About?
De rebus Hispaniae is made up of nine different books. These books cover the history of the Iberian Peninsula from the very first people who lived there all the way up to the year 1243.
A New Way to Write History
Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada did something new for history writing in Spain. He was the first to use information from Al Andalus. Al-Andalus was the name for the parts of the Iberian Peninsula ruled by Muslims. This made his history much more complete.
He also looked at all the different parts of the peninsula. His book included the stories of several kingdoms:
This was important because it showed a bigger picture of the region's past.
Focus on the Visigoths and Other Peoples
A large part of the book talks about the Visigothic Kingdom. The chapter about them, called historia gothica, is very long and full of details. The Visigoths were a powerful group who ruled parts of Europe, including the Iberian Peninsula, for a long time.
The book also tells the stories of many other groups of people who lived in or moved through the peninsula. These included:
This shows how many different cultures and groups shaped the history of the region.
Why Was This Book Important?
De rebus Hispaniae became very popular. It was translated into many different Romance languages, which are languages like Spanish, Portuguese, and French. For hundreds of years, this book has been a key source for anyone studying the History of Spain. It helped people understand the past of the Iberian Peninsula for centuries.
See also
In Spanish: De rebus Hispaniae para niños
