Correction: The Visigothic Kingdom in Spain, Not the Ostrogoths

Clarifying Gothic Kingdoms in Iberia

The question contains a common confusion. The Visigoths (Western Goths)—not the Ostrogoths (Eastern Goths)—established the kingdom in Spain.

Visigothic Kingdom (418-711)

• Origin: Germanic people displaced by Huns, entered Roman Empire 376.
• Settlement: Granted Aquitaine (SW France) 418 as foederati.
• Expansion into Iberia: Euric (466-484) conquered most of peninsula.
• Capital: Toulouse → Toledo (after 507 Frankish defeat at Vouillé).
• Religion: Arian Christian until Reccared I converted to Catholicism (587).
• Law: Liber Iudiciorum (654) unified Gothic-Roman law.
• End: Defeated by Umayyad Caliphate at Guadalete (711).

Ostrogothic Kingdom (493-553)

The Ostrogoths established their kingdom in Italy under Theodoric the Great (493), ruling from Ravenna. Justinian's reconquest (535-554) destroyed it. They never ruled Spain.

Why the Confusion?

Both are "Goths" (Germanic peoples from Gothic culture). Both had kingdoms in former Roman territory simultaneously (6th century). Both interacted with Byzantium. But geographically distinct: Visigoths = Iberia (+ Gaul), Ostrogoths = Italy.

Legacy in Spain

Visigothic contributions: Catholic unification, legal code influencing medieval Spain, architectural style (horseshoe arch), preservation of Roman administration. The "Reconquista" narrative later claimed Visigothic continuity.