Brewer's: Roderick

the thirty-fourth and last of the Visigothic kings, was the son of Theodofred, and grandson of King Chindasuintho. Witiza, the usurper, put out the eyes of Theodofred, and murdered Favil'a, a younger brother of Roderick; but Roderick, having recovered his father's throne, put out the eyes of the usurper. The sons of Witiza, joining with Count Julian, invited the aid of Muza ibn Nozeir, the Arab chief, who sent Tarik into Spain with a large army. Roderick was routed at the battle of Gaudalete, near Xeres de la Frontera (July 17th, 711). Southey has taken this story for an epic poem in twenty-five books - blank verse. (See Rodrigo.)

Related Content Allusions Foreign Words and Phrases Latin and Greek Word Elements Names: Their Origins and Meanings Old Testament Names Mythology Ancient Greek Literature & Mythology The Bible (King James version) The Koran (translation by J. M. Rodwell) Shakespeare's Plays Tales from Shakespeare (Charles and Mary Lamb) Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language