jan 1, 1578 - The Battle of Alcacer Quibir

Description:

In the Battle of the Three Kings, Portuguese King Sebastian wanted to subject Muslim Morocco to Chrisitan rule. Allied with the deposed Moroccan sultan, he landed at Tangier with an army of 20,000. Near Alcazarquivir, Sebastian struck Sultan Abd-al-Malik and his brother. The Muslim forces, though not as prepared, numbered 50,000 men and were able to force the Christians to retreat to Larache on the coast, but, in crossing the Wadi al-Makhāzin, which was then at high tide, many drowned including Sebastian and the deposed Sultan. Abd-al-Malik, who was gravely ill, died the next morning. The victory gave Morocco a new prestige in Europe, furthering its diplomatic and commercial status. Abd-al-Malik’s brother Ahmad became Sultan while the Portuguese empire fell to Spanish rule for the next 60 years.

Added to timeline:

Date:

Images: