Abd-ar-Rahman I

Abd-ar-Rahman I (731-88), first Umayyad emir of Spain (756-88). Having narrowly escaped the massacre (750) of the Umayyads in Damascus, Abd-ar-Rahman wandered through North Africa until 755. With the backing of Umayyad sympathizers in Spain and in Ceuta, North Africa, he then intervened between feuding Muslims in Spain, captured Córdoba in 756, and was recognized as emir. His realm, however, was not pacified until the defeat of Charlemagne's army at Roncesvalles in 778. Abd-ar-Rahman rebuilt the great mosque (now cathedral) of Córdoba.