Wittiza facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wittiza
A golden coin called a triente from Wittiza's time, showing his image. It was made in Braga.
King of the Visigoths
Reign	694 – 710
Predecessor	Egica
Successor	Roderic
Co-ruler	Egica (694 – 702/703)
Born	c. 687 Visigothic Kingdom
Died	710 (aged 22–23) Visigothic Kingdom
Father	Egica
Mother	Cixilo

Wittiza (born around 687 – died probably 710) was a Visigothic king who ruled Hispania (which is now Spain and Portugal). He became king in 694 and ruled until his death. For the first few years, he shared power with his father, Egica, until about 702 or 703.

Sharing Power: Wittiza's Early Reign

When Wittiza's father, King Egica, was ruling, he wanted to make sure his family stayed in power. He decided to make his son Wittiza a co-king. This probably happened in 694. Some old records say it was 698, but coins from that time suggest 694 is more likely. Wittiza becoming king might have been connected to a rebellion led by someone named Suniefred.

On November 15 or 24, 700, Wittiza was officially made king in a special ceremony. This was likely when he turned 14 years old. Wittiza's mother was Cixilo, who was the daughter of a previous king, Erwig.

During the time Wittiza and his father ruled together, a fleet from the Byzantine Empire attacked the southern coast of Hispania. A Visigothic leader named Theudimer successfully fought them off. It's not clear exactly when this attack happened, but it was likely around 697 or 702.

Around 701, a serious sickness, like a plague, spread across the Mediterranean Sea and reached Hispania. It was so bad that the kings had to leave their capital city, Toledo. Some historians think that during this time, Wittiza was sent by his father to rule in a city called Tui in Gallaecia (which is now part of Spain). This area was sometimes called the regnum Suevorum. There are coins that support the idea that Wittiza might have ruled a smaller kingdom there.

Wittiza's Time as Sole King

King Egica died in 702 or 703. After his father's death, Wittiza became the sole ruler of the Visigothic Kingdom.

New Rules and Forgiveness

Soon after Wittiza became king, an important meeting of church leaders, called the Eighteenth Council of Toledo, was held. The details of what happened at this meeting are not fully known. Some records suggest that Wittiza might have encouraged priests to marry. He also seemed to want to fix problems within the Visigothic Catholic Church.

One of Wittiza's first actions as sole king was to allow many noblemen who had been sent away by his father to return. He gave back their slaves and property that had been taken. He also returned them to their important jobs in the palace. Wittiza even publicly burned documents that these exiles had been forced to sign. These documents were probably promises or confessions they had to make. Wittiza also returned land that his family had been holding to the royal treasury, following the law. These actions were probably his way of fixing problems from his father's rule and gaining support from the nobles. An old record from 754 called Wittiza "merciful" for these actions.

Laws and Changes

During his time as sole king, Wittiza created two new laws. He also released an updated version of the Liber Iudiciorum, which was the main law book of the Visigoths. This update was probably to help him strengthen his power and get the support of the nobles and church leaders.

Wittiza did not create new laws to make life harder for Jewish people. He also probably didn't get rid of the laws his father had made against them. However, a writer from the 1200s, Lucas of Tuy, claimed that Wittiza made things easier for Jewish people and wanted their support. This writer was from Tui, the city where Wittiza might have ruled earlier. This suggests that there might have been old stories or records in Tui that supported this idea.

The End of Wittiza's Reign

The exact date Wittiza died and his reign ended is not clear. Some old lists say he died in 710, possibly in February. Another record from 754 suggests it was 711. This record also hints that he was killed in a sudden takeover by Roderic, who was supported by some nobles. However, others believe Wittiza died naturally. At the time of his death, he was still quite young, in his twenties.

After Wittiza's death, whether it was natural or forced, the kingdom faced problems. Hispania was divided between two people who wanted to be king: Roderic in the south and Achila II in the north. Achila might have been one of Wittiza's sons.

Later on, people had different opinions about Wittiza. A record from around 818 said that Wittiza set a bad example for his church leaders and people by living an "unchaste" life. Another record from the 800s mentioned his many wives and partners and said he brought "ruin to Hispania." However, the Chronicle of 754, written much closer to his time, said he brought "joy and prosperity" to the kingdom.

The "sons of Wittiza" are mentioned in some stories as people who helped the Moors take over Hispania. One figure, Oppa, is sometimes said to be Wittiza's brother, half-brother, or son. However, it's unlikely he was Wittiza's son because Wittiza was so young. According to one version of a historical record, Wittiza had three sons: Olmund, Romulus, and Ardabast.

Stories and Legends About Wittiza

The American writer Washington Irving wrote about Wittiza in his book Legends of the Conquest of Spain. He said that Wittiza's reign started very well. He fixed problems, lowered taxes, and ruled fairly. But this good start didn't last long. Soon, Wittiza showed his true nature, which Irving described as "cruel."

Irving's story says that Wittiza worried about rivals to his throne. He ended the careers of two relatives: Favila, the Duke of Cantabria, and Theodofred, the Duke of Córdoba. Wittiza had Favila killed. He had Theodofred blinded and put in prison. Favila's son, Pelayo, was not there at the time and was saved. Theodofred's son, Roderic, escaped to Italy.

Feeling safe, Wittiza then destroyed castles that he feared his enemies might use. He didn't realize this would weaken the kingdom's defenses against outside invaders. At his court, he had many wives and partners, and he encouraged his people to do the same.

Later, these kinds of stories were told about Wittiza because he had been kind to Jewish people and had allowed church leaders to marry, which went against what some church leaders wanted. So, when the kingdom suddenly fell apart during the rule of his successor, Roderic, people said it was because Wittiza's sins had brought God's anger upon the nation.

The legend continues that Roderic returned from Italy with an army to save Hispania from this divine punishment. Wittiza was defeated and captured. Roderic then became king in Toledo. To get revenge for his father, Roderic had Wittiza blinded and imprisoned in Córdoba. There, the former king "lived out his short remaining days in darkness, filled with sadness."

See also

• In Spanish: Witiza para niños