centre, especially known for the quality of its olive oil.
Starting from the 5th century AD, the Romans were increasingly displaced by people crossing the Pyrenees, including Vandals, Alans, and Suebi. In 554 a Roman expedition sent by emperor Justinian retook the area, but they were in turn defeated by the Visigoths in 624.
Al-Andalus
The Arab Muslim invasion of the Iberian peninsula began in 711. Antikaria was conquered around 716, and was renamed Antaquira. Its full name was Medina Antaquira, the word Medianh or Madinah meaning "city" in Arabic.
The Arab Islamic "Moorish" state was known for its religious tolerance, and lasted until 1212, when a coalition of Christian kings drove them from Central Spain in the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa. Over the next few years the dominant Almohad dynasty was defeated and Moorish Al-Andalus greatly reduced in strength. Medina Antaquira, which at that time had a population of about 2,600, became one of the northern cities of the remaining Nasrid kingdom of Granada and an important border town. To defend against the Catholic Spanish troops from the northern kingdoms, fortifications were built, and a castle (alcazaba) was erected overlooking the city.
For about two hundred years, Medina Antaquira was repeatedly attacked by Christian kings during the Reconquista, and on September 16, 1410 an army led by Ferdinand I of Aragon conquered the city. This gave Ferdinand, who was crowned King of Aragon in 1412, the title "Ferdinand of Antequera" (Don Fernando de Antequera), and the main street still carries his name: Calle Infante Don Fernando.
Spain
After Antequera became part of the Kingdom of Castile, the Muslims were driven out. The city became a Catholic fortress against the Muslim Nasrid kingdom of Granada, and a base for continuing conquest. After Granada, the last Moorish city capitulated in 1492,
