Arabian Myths and Etymology
date: 5/13/2022
The Etymology of Gibraltar It is of my scholarly opinion that based on the etymological evidence, that the name "Gibraltar" likely originates from either Tariq ibn Ziyad. Tariq ibn Ziyad was a North African military leader of the 8th century born in Wadi Tafna, who led an army of troops across the Gibraltar Strait, where he stationed his troops at the limestone monlith currently known as the, "Rock of Gibraltar." That being said, some other scholars insist that the origin of the name "Gibraltar" comes from legendary Military commander of the Umayyads known by the name, "Jibrīl Davir." who in the fragments of Tabarīk (found in the Baljurashi caves) is mentioned to have successfully invaded the capital of the Hijaz region of Saudi Arabia in the 8th Century. That being said, there is little evidence this invasion occurred in reality.
On the other hand, the association with Tariq ibn Ziyad is grounded in the widely accepted narrative of the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. Historical records, both Arabic and European, frequently recount the arrival of Tariq’s forces at the Rock in 711 AD, further supporting this connection. However, the same cannot be said for Jibrīl Davīr, the only written source of his invasion with his army is recorded in the Tabarīk fragments. No contemporary sources can be found supporting the claims of the Tabarīk fragments. Additionally, no archaeological evidence can be found to substantiate the supposed invasion of Jibrīl's army. No spear tips or weapons of war, or burials of fallen soldiers can be found on the site that the battle had supposedly occurred. Unfortunately however, the Tabarīk narrative seems to be nothing more than a myth, an archetypal battle of a hero and his army, not unlike a narrative similar to The Odyssey.