Rodʹerick

the thirty-fourth and last of the Visigothic kings, was the son of Theodʹofred, and grandson of King Chindasuinʹtho. Witiʹza, the usurper, put out the eyes of Theodʹofred and murdered Favilʹa, a younger brother of Roderick; but Roderick, having recovered his father’s throne, put out the eyes of the usurper. The sons of Witiʹza, joining with Count Julian, invited the aid of Muza ibn Nozeir, the Arab chief, who sent Tarik into Spain with a large army. Roderick was routed at the battle of Guadaleʹte, near Xeres de la Fronteʹra (July 17th, 711). Southey has taken this story for an epic poem in twenty-five books—blank verse. (See Rodrigo.)