If there was a time when the Basques were unified as one political entity, it was under the Kingdom of Nafarroa, which started out as the Kingdom of Pamplona. The first king of Pamplona, Eneko Arista, founded the kingdom sometime around 824. His family was closely intertwined with the neighboring Banu Qasi family – indeed, the leader of that clan was Eneko’s half brother. Though not always friendly, they were often allies and it is said that it was their defeat of the Carolingians that led to the formation of the Kingdom of Pamplona.

• We know little about the early life of Eneko, or alternatively Iñigo, Arista. He is first mentioned by Arab historian Ibn Haiyan. His daughter was married in 812, so that puts his birth some time around 780 or so. His full name – Eneko Enékez Arista – suggests his father was also named Eneko. One text suggests he was from Bigorra. More certain, as attested by multiple texts, is that he was the first King of Pamplona, establishing the kingdom and its first ruling dynasty.
• Eneko’s mother, thought to be Oneca though that isn’t certain, married one of the Banu Qasi upon the death of her husband. Their son, Musa ibn Musa, Eneko’s half brother, became a central figure in the region and, often allied with Eneko, provided significant aid to his half brother, helping him to expand his influence.
• In 824, they together vanquished Carolingian forces in the second battle of Roncesvalles (Orreaga). There is no actual evidence that Eneko was at the battle, nor that there was any kind of official crowning afterwards, but it was this battle that is said to have led to the founding of the Kingdom of Pamplona, with Eneko as its king.
• In retaliation for an attack on Eneko’s kingdom by the wali of Zaragoza in 840, Musa ibn Musa rose against the Emir and the Caliphate centered in Cordoba. Eneko joined his half-brother in this rebellion. In retaliation of that uprising, the Emir sent troops to quell the rebellion and these same were sent against the Kingdom of Pamplona.
• Eneko died in 852. He had already suffered from paralysis, possibly from wounds sustained during battle, and his son García Enekez had already been installed as King of Pamplona.

A full list of all of Buber’s Basque Facts of the Week can be found in the Archive.

Primary sources: Estornés Lasa, Bernardo [et al.]. Íñigo Íñiguez Arista. Auñamendi Encyclopedia, 2024. Available at: https://aunamendi.eusko-ikaskuntza.eus/en/inigo-iniguez-arista/ar-52052/; Íñigo Arista, Wikipedia