History Commons^™

The Islamic Iberian Peninsula: Cultural Fusion And Coexistence, Miguel A. Claxton Iii

Young Historians Conference

The Islamic invasion of the Iberian Peninsula in the 8^th century was the first occurrence of Islam reaching mainland Europe. Rather than bloody battles or wars fueled by ideological differences, which usually accompany invasions, the invasion of Iberia lacked any major conflict or bloodshed. The following four hundred years of Islamic dominance in the region is characterized by the same lack of conflict. Through initial limited exposure, and eventual cultural fusion, Muslims and non-Muslims were able to coexist in a society that was uniquely multicultural.