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EgicaKing Egica (610?-702) was a Visigothic king of Spain, who ruled from 687 until his death. He was married to Cixillo, the daughter of King Erwig, who preceded him on the throne. Upon Egica's marriage to Cixillo, Erwig made him swear an oath to protect Erwig's children. Before his death, Erwig required a second oath to not deny justice to the people. Shortly after taking the throne, Egiva called the Fifteenth Council of Toledo at which he claimed the two oaths were contradictory and asked the council of bishops to release him from one or the other oath. When the council only partially rescinded the oath to protect the Erwig's children, Egica called a second council of provincial bishops which resulted in Erwig's widow, Liuvigoto, being sent to a convent. In 691, Egica oversaw the beginning of the building of the Church of San Pedro de la Nave in Zamara. In 693, the Metropolitan of Toledo, Sisebert led a rebellion against Egica in favor of a man named Suniefred and coins were minted in the potential usurper's name. The rebellion failed and Sisebert was defrocked and excommunicated. Any of his descendants were barred from holding any offfices. Any other rebel or descendant of a rebel who rose up against Egica was to be sold into slavery. A third-generation Arian Christian, Egica was not tolerant of those who differed with him. He persecuted homosexuals and punished them with castration and Jews, decreeing that the later could not conduct business with Christians. In 694, upon learning of rumors that the Jewish population in his land was aiding Muslim armies, Egric declared all Jewish-held land forfeit, all Jews to be slaves, and all Jewish children to be raised by Christians from the age of seven. When Tariq ibn-Ziyad successfully invaded Spain during the reign of King Roderic in 711, there were numerous Jews in his armies. Shortly before he died, Egica amended a law which stated that anyone accused of theft of goods worth 300 solidi was to undergo a trial by boiling water. Under Egica's changes, anyone accused of theft for whatever amount would have to undergo this ordeal. At the same time, Egica published several laws which dealt harshly with the issue of fugitive slaves. Egica was the father of King Witiza, with whom he shared his rule from 693-702. Egica Egica Egica
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