The Romans governed the whole of Spain for more than six centuries. In fact, the Romans changed the face of the countryside and towns, building aqueducts and long straight roads to link the major towns. But it was the Muslim civilization which was to have the most lasting impact on the city. Their reign lasted for nearly 800 years in Andalucia from 711 until 1492 when the Catholic monarchs defeated the Moslem kingdom of Granada. After the fall of Granada to the Christians, Spain entered an era of expansion and prosperity. The conquest of the New World made Seville one of the most affluent cities in Europe, but much of this wealth was squandered on wars by the Hapsburg kings.