GIBRALTAR is situated in Andalusia, the most southern province of Spain. The rock is seven miles in circumference, forming a promontory three miles long; and is joined to the continent by an isthmus of low sand; the southern extremity lies in 36º 230N, lat. and in 5º 5W. long. from the meridian of London.

Historians, from very early periods. have noticed Gibraltar, or Mons Calpe by a well-known mythological fiction denominating it, and Mons Abyla, on the opposite coast of Africa, the Pillars of Hercules It does not however appear that the hill was ever inhabited by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, or Romans, who in the first ages of navigation visited the bay, and built cities in its neighbourhood or that it ever engaged the attention of those intrepid and successful Barbarians who so violently subverted the Roman empire and established a new government in Spain. The period, when it began to be remarkable for the natural strength of its situation, seems well ascertained to be in the beginning of the eighth century, when the Saracens (then a powerful nation in the east and along the coast of Africa) invaded Spain, and soon after made themselves masters of the whole country.

The Gothic kingdom, which had existed in Spain for 300 years, was, previous to the invasion of the Saracens, distracted with intestine divisions; the nation in general had become effeminate totally neglecting the military discipline of their ancestors; and their monarch Roderic, a profligate prince, accelerated their ruin by ravishing the daughter of Count Julian, a nobleman of great wealth and influence and governor of Ceuta in Africa. Count Julian, to avenge the disgrace done to his family, combined efforts with other discontented chiefs, who had long complained, and were ripe for a revolt The tyrant was however too powerful for whatever opposition they alone could raise; the Count therefore secretly retired with his family to Africa, and getting acquainted with Mousa (the Saracen governor of the western provinces, himself not in the best possible terms with his competitors in the east), he promised that, would he attempt to dethrone Roderic, to assist him with his own interests and those of his friends.

Mousa, cautious and prudent, communicated the project to his sovereign the Caliph Al Walid Ebn Abdalmalic, who agreed to try the practicability of it, and to inspect more accurately the state of affairs, by sending over a small detachment. One hundred horse and 400 foot, were accordingly embarked in the year 711, under the command of Tarik Ebn Zarca. Attended by Count Julian and other Gothic noblemen this small force soon passed the Herculena Straits, and landed on the coast near the present town of Algeciras where, finding no opposition and the country almost defenceless, the Saracen general ravaged the neighbouring towns, and returned laden with spoils to report the success of his first expedition.

Mousa, elated with the flattering prospect, the following year assembled an army of 12,060 men, and Tarik was appointed to the chief command. Having supplied himself with provisions and stores, Tarik once more embarked on the rapid Strait, and landed on the isthmus between Mons Calpe and the continent The object of this invasion being of a more serious nature than that of the former, he was determined to secure an intercourse with Africa, by establishing a post on the coast; and, preferring the strong natural situation of Mons Calpe, gave orders to erect a castle on the face of the hill, which might answer the original purpose and also cover his retreat, in case he should be unfortunate in his future operations The major part of this once magnificent pile remains still at present and, from an inscription discovered over the principal gate, before it was pulled down, the period of its being finished is ascertained to be about the year 725.

Tarik, leaving a garrison at the foot of Mons Calpe (which was now called by the Saracens, in compliment to their general, Gibel-Tarik or the mountain of Tarik and thence Gibraltar) marched into the country and surprised many towns, amongst which was Heraclea or Carteia, situated on the coast of the bay, about four miles distant from Gibel-Tarik.

King Roderic, receiving intelligence of Tarik's approach, assembled a numerous body of troops to oppose his progress. Both armies met, after several skirmishes, near Jerez in Andalusia, and a bloody conflict ensued. The victory was for a long time doubtful; but the Gothic army being raw and undisciplined partly disaffected and joined the Saracens. Tarik eventually prevailed and, by this victory, he was left in possession of the whole kingdom.

The Goths, or Spaniards as we may call them, were driven by the rapid conquests of the invaders into the provinces of Asturias, Biscay, &c. where, like the ancient Britons, they maintained a strenuous and respectable opposition. Gradually they re-assumed their former discipline and valour, while their conquerors declined into luxury and effeminacy. They made several expeditions from the mountains, recovering, after many obstinate efforts, a great part of the northern provinces. This success encouraged them to attempt the total rejection of the Arabic yoke. Measures were concerted amongst the chiefs, to act in union and with vigour. The Infidels were attacked and routed in successive engagements; and the kingdoms of Asturias, Galicia, Leon, Navarre, and Castile, were erected under various monarchs .