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)
- Prehistoric Spain (31 min) – Cave paintings to megaliths
- Early Colonists (29 min) – Celts, Phoenicians, Greeks
- Roman Conquest (30 min) – Engineering and infrastructure
- Christian Arrival (32 min) – Early church development
5-6. Visigothic Rule (30/29 min) – Unification and scholarship
Islamic Spain & Reconquista (7-14)
- Muslim Invasion (30 min) – Al-Andalus established
- Golden Age (31 min) – Córdoba’s cultural brilliance
- Reconquista (28 min) – Christian reconquest
- Sephardic Jews (29 min) – Jewish life in medieval Spain
- Catholic Revival (31 min) – Inquisition and Baroque art
Empire & Enlightenment (15-22)
- Columbus (30 min) – New World discoveries
- Conquistadors (28 min) – Aztec and Inca conquests
- Habsburg Golden Age (30 min) – Velázquez to Cervantes
- Bourbon Reforms (32 min) – Carlos III’s modernization
- Modernism (30 min) – Picasso, Gaudí, Dalí
Modern Spain (23-24)
- Civil War (29 min) – Franco’s dictatorship
- Contemporary Spain (34 min) – Democracy and challenges

