Note 7 — Chapter II · The Gothic Kings of Toledo

Dozy regards Count Julian as an authentic historical figure though both his rank and authority are undefined. He believes he was neither a vassal nor a Spanish subject, and consequently no traitor. But was he a Berber, a Greek, an independent prince or tributary of Spain or of the Emperor of Constantinople? Dozy suggests he may have been an Arabian governor of Ceuta, under the Byzantine emperor, while Arabian authors describe him as a mere merchant.