Whom did al-Ghazal meet? An Exchange of Embassies Between the Arabs From al-Andalus and the Vikings

Whom did al-Ghazal meet? An Exchange of Embassies Between the Arabs From al-Andalus and the Vikings

Pons-Sanchez, Sara M.

Saga Book, Vol.28 (2004)

Abstract

The Vikings terrorised most of western Europe from the end of the eighth century to approximately the middle of the eleventh century. The Iberian Peninsula was no exception, though the Viking raids there were much less significant than those on the British Isles and Frankia. Even though these northern marauders visited the north, the south, the east and the west of the Iberian Peninsula (Dozy 1881, II 250–371; Gon- zález Campo 2002a, 9–30, and 2002b; Jón Stefánsson 1909–10; Melvinger 1955), I will concentrate in this paper on their relations with the territories under the control of the Arabs, known as al-Andalus. In particular, out of the six attacks that the Vikings launched against the Arabs (El-Hajji 1967 and 1970, 157–63), I will pay close attention to the first one in 844, and its possible diplomatic consequences.

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