Classes of Cities in Hispania under Roman Administration
Classes of Cities in Hispania Under Roman Rule
Introduction
Roman administration in Hispania heavily relied on cities as legal, economic, and religious territorial units. These cities comprised an urban center and surrounding territory. While some areas like Egypt, Syria, and Thrace existed outside this city-centric structure, their Romanization was less pronounced. The legal status of cities depended on their inhabitants, resulting in Roman, Latin, and peregrine cities, reflecting the treatment of indigenous settlements based on their stance during the conquest. The distinctions between colonies and municipalities were often blurred. Colonies were generally new establishments, while municipalities typically involved pre-existing indigenous communities adopting a Roman-like organizational structure. However, some colonies were formed by establishing Roman citizens within indigenous cities.
1. Indigenous and Peregrine Cities
Existing indigenous cities in Hispania connected with Rome in various ways, leading to different city types:
Federated Cities
These cities had treaties of equality (foedusaequum) with Rome, granting them privileges like exemption from Roman magistrates’ jurisdiction and regular tribute payments, provided their autonomy didn’t conflict with Roman interests. Many sought to become Roman municipalities, such as Sagunto, Malaga, and Cadiz.
Free or Immune Cities
Unlike federated cities, their freedom and autonomy stemmed from revocable concessions from Rome, not treaties. They were exempt from tributes and provincial governor jurisdiction, but ultimately answered to the Senate.
Stipendiary Cities
Bound by unequal treaties (foedusiniquum), these cities paid annual tributes and provided auxiliaries to the Roman army. Rome generally didn’t interfere in their internal affairs, but they were subject to taxes. Dediticiae cities initially resisted Roman rule but later surrendered unconditionally, comprising a third of all cities. Rome controlled their legal status and could destroy, enslave, or respect them.
2. Roman Colonies and Municipalities
Three main city classes existed: colonies, municipalities, and prefectures. Colonies were new settlements for Roman citizens, governed by specific laws, and mirroring Rome’s political-administrative structure. From the 1st century BC, settlers included veteran legionaries and the urban proletariat, who gained land and improved their social standing. Land distribution for new colonies involved a Roman commission establishing a grid layout with a central forum and streets. Granting municipal status involved enacting a law under the governor. Initially, municipalities were Italian cities connected to Rome but lacking political rights. Caesar and Augustus’ reforms expanded municipal status to many indigenous cities within the empire, including several in Hispania’s Tarragona province.