García Jiménez of Pamplona

Who was García Jiménez of Pamplona?

García Jiménez was king of a part of Pamplona in the late 9th century.

The Jiménez dynasty that would later rule the kingdom of Navarre originally held a territory within that realm distinct from that held by the descendants of Iñigo Arista. García is presumed to have succeeded his father in this role, either during the lifetime of King García Íñiguez or of his son King Fortún Garcés, and is called "king" by the Códice de Roda, being of "another part of the kingdom" of Pamplona.

There is no documentary evidence of García Jiménez playing any role in the government of the greater kingdom. However, such a role has been assigned to him. In 860, Fortún Garcés son and heir of king García Íñiguez, was imprisoned in Córdoba, and was kept there for 20 years. The traditional death date of García Íñiguez in 870 would have meant there was a de facto 10-year interregnum before the return of Fortún to the kingdom. It has been suggested that García Jiménez was called 'king' due to his service as regent during this period, lasting until he was killed at Aybar in a battle against the Emir of Córdoba. On this basis, he is sometimes called García II.