Odo The Great - Battles of Garonne, Tours and Death

Battles of Garonne, Tours and Death

In 731, the Frankish Charles Martel, after defeating the Saxons, turned his attention to the rival southern realm of Aquitaine, denounced Odo´s alliance with Uthman ibn Naissa, and crossed the Loire, so breaking the peace treaty held with Odo. The Frankish leader ransacked Aquitaine twice, seizing Bourges too, and Odo engaged the Frankish troops but was defeated. Charles went back to Francia.

Meanwhile, the Umayyads were gathering forces to attack Odo's ally in the Pyrenean region of Cerdanya (maybe Catalonia) Uthman ibn Naissa. In 731, the Berber lord was subject to the attack of an expedition led by Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi, overcoming and killing the rebel leader, and capturing Odo´s daughter, who was sent prisoner to a harem in Damascus. Busy as Odo was trying to fend off Charles´s thrust, he didn't make it to help his ally.

In 732, Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi's troops raided Vasconia, advanced towards Bordeaux and ransacked the city. Odo engaged them but was defeated near Bordeaux by the Umayyads. Following the defeat, Odo ran north to warn Charles Martel, Mayor of the palaces of Neustria and Austrasia, of the impending threat and to appeal for assistance in fighting the Arab advance, which he received in exchange for accepting formal Frankish overlordship. The duke, aged almost 80, reorganised his scattered forces, joined Charles Martel's troops and fought as the Frankish left flank. The alliance defeated the Umayyads at the Battle of Tours in 732, and repelled the Muslims out of Aquitaine. Odo led his forces to play a major role in breaking up the Muslim army.

In 735 the Duke Odo abdicated and was succeeded by his son Hunald. He died thereafter, probably in a monastery, perhaps as late as 740. Odo the Great's popularity in Aquitaine is attested by the Vita Pardulfi.