The History of Spain: Land on a Crossroad

Overview

Course No. 8286

Journey through Spain’s epic history from prehistoric settlements to modern democracy with an expert guide.

This 24-lecture course explores:

• The melting pot of Celtic, Roman, Visigothic, and Islamic cultures

• The drama of the Reconquista and Spanish Inquisition

• Spain’s golden age of empire and artistic brilliance

• The turbulent path to modern democracy

Discover how Spain’s unique position at the crossroads of Europe and Africa shaped Western civilization.

Video Lessons

Ancient Foundations (1-6)

1. Prehistoric Spain (31 min) – Cave paintings to megaliths

2. Early Colonists (29 min) – Celts, Phoenicians, Greeks

3. Roman Conquest (30 min) – Engineering and infrastructure

4. Christian Arrival (32 min) – Early church development

5-6. Visigothic Rule (30/29 min) – Unification and scholarship

Islamic Spain & Reconquista (7-14)

7. Muslim Invasion (30 min) – Al-Andalus established

9. Golden Age (31 min) – Córdoba’s cultural brilliance

• Reconquista (28 min) – Christian reconquest

12. Sephardic Jews (29 min) – Jewish life in medieval Spain

14. Catholic Revival (31 min) – Inquisition and Baroque art

Empire & Enlightenment (15-22)

15. Columbus (30 min) – New World discoveries

16. Conquistadors (28 min) – Aztec and Inca conquests

18. Habsburg Golden Age (30 min) – Velázquez to Cervantes

20. Bourbon Reforms (32 min) – Carlos III’s modernization

22. Modernism (30 min) – Picasso, Gaudí, Dalí

Modern Spain (23-24)

23. Civil War (29 min) – Franco’s dictatorship

24. Contemporary Spain (34 min) – Democracy and challenges