the Battle of Roncevaux Pass

The Battle of Roncevaux Pass occurred in 778 when Charlemagne’s forces, returning from Spain, were ambushed by Basque warriors in the Pyrenees. Though largely composed of rear guards, the battle resulted in a significant Basque victory and highlighted the vulnerabilities of medieval troop movements through mountain passes. It became famous due to later romanticized accounts, especially in the epic poem *The Song of Roland*, which portrays it as a heroic Christian stand against Muslim forces, even though historically, it was a clash with local Basques.