The Reign of Aurelius of Asturias (768–774 CE)

After the assassination of King Fruela I, the Asturian nobility elects Aurelius as king. He is believed to have been crowned in Sama, and his reign is characterized as relatively peaceful, with few mentions in medieval chronicles, suggesting a period of stability.

The First Recorded Peasant Revolt in Iberia

The only significant event recorded during Aurelius’ rule is a rebellion of serfs, which he successfully suppresses. Although the exact location of the uprising is unknown, this marks the first recorded instance of anti-seignorial revoltin Iberian history, hinting at early tensions between landowners and peasants.

Diplomacy with the Muslims

Following the custom of the time, Aurelius is believed to have negotiated peace with the Muslims who controlled the lands to the south. According to legend, this involved an exchange of brides, which supposedly gave rise to the place-name El Entrego—now part of San Martín del Rey Aurelio, the municipality where Aurelius resided and which likely served as the effective capital of Asturias during his reign.

Death and Succession

After six years on the throne, Aurelius dies of natural causes in 774 CE. There is no record of him having a wife or children. He is succeeded by his cousin-in-law, Silo, the husband of Adosinda, daughter of Alfonso I of Asturias.