Sack of Lisbon (798)

The sack of Lisbon was an expedition to Lisbon led by Alfonso II of Asturias.^[4][2] The expedition was successful and he secured Galicia up to the Minho.^[5][6] However, he abandoned the city the same day.^[7] According to Mariano Torrente [es], it was revenge for the military incursions sent by the Emir of Córdoba against the Kingdom of Asturias after the Battle of Lutos.^[3]

Sack of Lisbon
Part of Reconquista
Statue of Alfonso II of Asturias by Víctor Hevia
Date 798 Location Lisbon, Caliphate of Córdoba Result Asturian victory[1][2]
Belligerents
Kingdom of Asturias	Caliphate of Córdoba
Commanders and leaders
Alfonso II of Asturias	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Low	50,000 killed or captured[3] (seems exaggerated)

The expedition

Alfonso II of Asturias, since he had an alliance with the Frankish Kingdom, decided to invade the western part of the peninsula to distract the Moorish forces, already broken by their civil war.^[8] He crossed the Duero, reached the Tagus and, after some resistance, captured and sacked Lisbon.^{[4][2][9][10][11][7]} However, he abandoned the city the same day.^[7]

Aftermath

After the sacking, Alfonso II sent to Charlemagne coats of mail, mules, Moorish captives and a tent from a Saracen chief.^[12][13] Lisbon may had remained abandoned for a decade until Tumlus started a rebellion and was executed by the Caliphate of Córdoba in 808.^[14]