Concept

Battle of Roncesvalles

Consequences of the rescue of Ibn al-Arabi. Suleiman Ibn al-Arabi was Charlemagne's lifeline. He suspected him of deception. He knew the secret plans of each wali and, above all, al-Husain's inexplicable attitude of resisting in Zaragoza. Charles must have been plunged into a sea of doubts and fears despite the powerful legions at his disposal. The surprising liberation of Suleiman Ibn al-Arabi by his sons, carried out with as much audacity as cunning, closed off any possibility of a peaceful return through the eastern Pyrenees, Pertès, or through the central ones, Somport. He had no other option than Roncesvalles, opposite Pamplona. Before him were the southernmost Basques, those of Pamplona, whose influence extended far into the interior of a narrowly Basque-speaking Vasconia. However, the lack of a common leader to coordinate and unite the militias of the different regions seemed an advantage. Charles found himself in a bind with no way out but Roncesvalles, but he hoped to deliver a warning by destroying the city and triumphantly crossing the famous invasion pass.