The reason, according to some
authorities, for the defection of Ilyan was his desire to avenge an
injury inflicted upon him by Roderic, who is said to have
dishonored Ilyan's daughter, the Lady Florinda. Others attribute
the treason of Ilyan to his real loyalty to the rivals of Roderic,
the latter being regarded by him as a usurper.
It is recorded that Ilyan proposed to Musa the conquest of
Andalusia, whose wealth in productiveness and other natural
attractions he glowingly described. The people, Ilyan declared,
were enervated by reason of prolonged peace, and were destitute of
arms. He was induced entirely to desert the Gothic cause and join
the Moslems, and made a successful incursion into the country of
his former friends, returning to Africa loaded with spoil. From
this time Ilyan served under the Moslem standard.
Another invasion was made by the Saracens with like results, and
then Musa, having received authority from the Caliph, prepared to
enter upon the conquest of Spain.
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