Tariq ibn Zaid

Tariq ibn Zaid ( fl. 700 – 12 )
A freedman of Musa ibn Nusayr, Umayyad governor of North Africa. In 711 he was sent to conquer Spain with 7000 men, landing near the famous rock that has immortalized his name, Jabal al‐Tariq (Mount of Tariq), that is, Gibraltar. On 19 July 711 he defeated the Visigoth king Roderick and went on to conquer half of Spain. In 712 Musa crossed to Spain and, out of jealousy at Tariq's success, put him in chains. His subsequent fate is unknown.