Tariq ibn Ziyad was a Berber general who played a crucial role in the early Muslim conquests of the Iberian Peninsula. In 711 AD, he led an army across the Strait of Gibraltar, landing at a site now known as Gibraltar. His forces defeated the Visigothic king, Roderic, at the Battle of Guadalete, which marked the beginning of Muslim rule in parts of Spain. Tariq's successful campaign opened the way for further Muslim expansion into Spain and Portugal. He is often celebrated for his leadership and military strategy, and his legacy remains significant in the history of Islamic Spain.