«In Calatañazor Almanzor lost his drum». According to this popular saying, in Calatañazor (Soria) Muhammad ibn Abu Amir (al-Mansur, for Christians Almanzor) was defeated and killed in this battle. But the reality is that said battle never existed, or if it did exist, it was no more than a small skirmish without significance, and that Almanzor died without knowing defeat. This legend originated in the Christian ranks to encourage the troops, very demoralized by the continuous and devastating victories of the "hammer of Wing".
According to Professor Menédez Pidal:
Almanzor made the last expedition of his life, heading through Castile, towards San Millán; It was a victorious expedition like all others, but he had to withdraw when he felt very ill. He had himself carried in a litter… overwhelmed by cruel pain… he crossed the border and arrived at Medinaceli, the first Muslim parade ground; he died on August 10, 1002.
On his deathbed, he sent for his son Abd al-Malik, whom he asked to perpetuate the Amiri dynasty in power in al-Andalus, overthrowing the Caliph Hisham. After leaving the store his son, broken with pain, wept disconsolately and the words of the great Almanzor, " this seems to me the first sign of the decadence that awaits al-Andalus" , prophesied the destruction of the caliphate, which would later give rise to the Taifa kingdoms.
