Populated since the Bronze Age; Toledo (Toletum in Latin) grew in importance during Roman times; being a main commercial and administrative centre in the Roman province of Tarraconensis. After the fall of the Roman Empire; Toledo served as the capital city of Visigothic Spain; beginning with Liuvigild (Leovigild); and was the capital of Spain until the Muslims conquered Iberia in the 8th century.

Under the Caliphate of Cordoba; Toledo enjoyed a golden age; it became a very large cosmopolitan city with an overwhelming Muladi (Iberian Muslim) population. This extensive period is known as La Convivencia; i.e. the co-existence of Jews; Christians; and Muslims. Under Arab rule; Toledo was called Tulaytulah. After the fall of the Caliphate; Toledo was the capital city of one of the richest Taifas of Al-Andalus.

Its population was overwhelmingly Muladi; and; because of its central location in the Iberian Peninsula; Toledo took a central position in the struggles between the Muslim and Christian rulers of northern Spain. The conquest of Toledo by Alfonso VI of Castile marked the first time a major city in Al-Andalus had fallen to Christian forces; it served to sharpen the religious aspect of the Christian reconquest.