Theodemir (Visigoth) facts for kids

Theodemir (also spelled Theudimer) was an important leader in Spain a long time ago. He was a comes, which means a count or a powerful noble, in the Visigothic kingdom. He lived in the southeastern part of Spain, near what is now Murcia. Theodemir was famous during the last years of the Visigothic kingdom and even after the Muslim conquest of Spain.

He controlled seven cities in southeastern Spain. These cities are mentioned in an important document called the Treaty of Orihuela. This treaty was saved by a historian named Ibn Adarí many centuries later. The cities were Orihuela, Valentila (which might have been Valencia), Alicante, Mula, Bigastro, Eyya (likely Ojós), and Lorca.

Fighting Off Invaders

At one point, probably when kings Egica and Wittiza ruled together, a Byzantine fleet attacked the coasts of southern Spain. The Byzantines were from the Eastern Roman Empire. Theodemir successfully fought them off and made them leave.

Historians are not sure exactly when this event happened. It might have been around 697 AD, when the Byzantines were trying to help Carthage against the Arabs. Or it could have been later, around 702 AD, or even towards the end of King Wittiza's rule. Most experts agree that this was a single event. It was likely connected to other military actions, probably against the Arabs. It was not an attempt by the Byzantines to take back their old province of Spania, which they had lost many years before. As historian E. A. Thompson said, "We know nothing whatever of the context of this strange event."

The Muslim Conquest and a Special Treaty

After the Visigothic king Roderic was defeated in the Battle of Guadalete in 711 or 712 AD, Muslim armies began to conquer Spain. Theodemir tried to fight against these invading forces. However, he was eventually defeated in a major battle.

After his defeat, Theodemir made a peace agreement with the Muslim leader Abd al-Aziz ibn Musa, who was the emir (governor) of the region. This agreement is known as the Treaty of Orihuela. The text of this treaty has been saved in several old documents. It was signed on April 5, 713 AD.

What the Treaty Said

The treaty was very important. It allowed Christians who agreed to live under Muslim rule to keep their lives. They could continue to live with their families and follow their own customs. They were also allowed to practice their Catholic faith in their churches.

However, there were some conditions. The Christians had to pay a special tax called jizya. This tax was paid by each person. They also had to hand over any enemies of the Muslim rulers to the government.

The tax itself was specific. It included one dinar (a type of coin). It also required four measures of wheat, barley, grape juice, and vinegar. Plus, two measures of honey and oil. Slaves had to pay half of this amount. Theodemir was allowed to keep his land and his power as a local leader.

Theodemir's Legacy

Later, Theodemir traveled all the way to Damascus. This was the capital city of the Umayyad Caliphate, the large Muslim empire. He went there to have his treaty officially approved by the Caliph.

It is not fully known how long this treaty lasted. Some historians think it continued until Theodemir died in 743 AD. Others believe it might have ended before his death. The Chronicle of 754, an old historical record, mentions his death.

Theodemir was very important in his region. Many Gothic nobles who lived there later claimed to be related to him. The Arabs even named the region "Tudmir" in his honor. Theodemir had a son named Athanagild. The Chronicle says Athanagild was very wealthy. However, historians are not sure if Athanagild took over his father's role. If he did, it would have been around 740 AD. We do not know what happened to Athanagild. By the 780s, the region of Tudmir had lost its special independence.

In Fiction

Theodemir appears in the historical novel Amaya o los vascos en el siglo VIII (1879). In the book, characters talk about "Teodomiro." He is described as the "duke of Aurariola and Baetica, general prevost of the army." He is shown as one of the leaders who successfully fought against Muslim rule. Other leaders mentioned are Pelayo of Asturias and García Jiménez of Navarre.

See also

In Spanish: Teodomiro (visigodo) para niños