Agila II

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Agila II (also spelled Achila, Aquila, or Akhila because the sound represented by /j/ wasn't existent in Latin) (c.681-716) was the king of the Visigoths in Hispania after the defeat of Roderic in 711. His disputed reign is attested to by coins from mints in Gerona, Narbonne, and Tarragona. If his reign is recognised, then first Agila must be numbered Agila I.

He was the son of Witiza and was associated with his father's reign from 708. He was proclaimed king upon his father's death in 710, but only had the support of the northern regions, Tarraconensis and Narbonensis. The rest of Hispania elected Roderic, whose capital was Toledo. Agila's uncle, Oppas, bishop of Toledo, solicited the aid of the Muslims of Morocco against Roderic and it was this which led to the conquest of the peninsula in 711. When Roderic died in battle against the Moors, Agila was probably crowned in Toledo.

In 712, he travelled to Toledo to meet the Moslem leader, Tariq ibn Ziyad. He received no mercy for his conquered subjects and lands. He remained leader of the Witizian faction until 714, when he was deposed and Ardo elected. He continued to call himself king until his death in 716.

Preceded by: Roderic

King of the Visigoths 711–714

Succeeded by: Ardo