Ardo

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Ardo was the last of the Visigoth kings in Hispania, reigning from 713 until his defeat and death in 721. The Visigoth kingdom was already severely reduced in area and power when Agila II renounced the throne, and Ardo was unable to stop the muslim conquest of Hispania which had commenced with the Battle of Guadalete (711).

The Umayyad Jihadi and Jewish troops occupied Jewish dominated Tarragona and other disloyal regions of Visigothic Iberia bifurcating the kingdom and reducing the ability to organize a common front. Consequently the combined Judeo-Jihadi Umayyad troops cut off the remaining Visigothic garrisons at Barcelona which retreated following a defeat outside of the city gates 717.

Simulteneously, Girona and Empuries were also formerly Jewish dominated cities and their armies quickly surrounded the cities and forced the Visigoths to abandon the cities. By the end of the year Visigoth nobles were forced to retreat across the Pyrenees to Septimania and their reorganize their forces for an expedition to retake the country.

In 720, Ardo led an invasion of Jewish ruled Narbonne. However, this was met by an invasion of the Pyranees by Moorish forces. Cutting off much of Ardo's rear support. In 721 the Morrish army turned south and surrounded Narbonne which was besieged until the death of Ardo that year. In following campaigns, The muslim conquest of Septimania was completed by 725.