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In
Leo's days, Tangiers was in the hands of the Portuguese. Captured by them
in 1471, it remained in their hands for a century, until the Spanish took
it over in 1578. The Portuguese reclaimed it in 1640, only to bequeath
it to England, as a wedding gift in 1661. Moroccans would only regain
control of their city in 1684, when the British left the ruined city.
Here
are Leo's words on Tangiers, which he calls "Tangia":
"The
Portuguese call Tangia "Tangiara". This great city was built
before the advent of Islam. Some historians falsely believe that it
was built by a ruler named Sedded, son of Had, who was ruler of the
world and wanted to build a city which would resemble Paradise on
Earth. He had the walls made of bronze and the houses of gold and
silver.
The
good historians say that Tangia was built by the Romans, on the coast,
in the days when they controlled Grenada. When the Goths took over
Grenada, Tangia was brought under the rule of Ceuta, until the Muslims
conquered it, at the same time they conquered Assilah.
Tangia
has always been a well guarded town, with noble, dignified inhabitants.
It has had numerous palaces, some ancient, others more recent.
The
nearby lands are not good for growing grains, but the neighboring
valley is irrigated enough to grow oranges, lemons and other fruit.
There are a few vineyards, but the land is very sandy.
Until
Assilah was captured [by the Portuguese], the people lived well. When
they heard the news of this capture, the people of Tangia fled to
Fes. The Portuguese captain dispatched an officer to govern the city
until a member of the Royal family could come to replace him. Tangia
is indeed an important city, given its proximity to the mountains
of Gumera, mortal enemies to the Christians. [...]
Mohammed,
the King of Fes has wanted to recapture this city from the Portuguese,
but so far he has failed, as the Portuguese have been quick to defend
it. I was in Tangia during this expedition in the year 917 of the
Hegira [1511]." (Leo,
263)
The Tangier
region is thought to have been the setting of many a Classical legend:
from Hercules' labors, to the painful task of Atlas. Tangiers itself
has been the subject of many a myth, one of which Leo refers to above.
According to Greek mythology, Tangiers was built by Tingis, wife of
Anteus, son of Poseidon, God of the Sea, and of Gaia, Goddess of Earth.
Leo's story could well have been a variation of this Greek legend.
Duarte
has a story of his own:
"
Tangiara was built by the giant Anteus who fought against Hercules.
Just outside the city walls, he hung a great shield, covered in elephant
skin. Due to its size, the shield could be used only by him." (Duarte,
233)
For
a full version of the Hercules-Anteus myth go to Lixus
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