Roman Conquest of Hispania: Wars and Integration
Roman Conquest of Mainland
Rome maintained troops in the Iberian Peninsula to control conquered territories. This secured slave labor, land rewards for soldiers, increased production due to new markets and raw materials, among other benefits.
Celtiberian Wars (155-133 BC)
These wars subjected the Vaccaei and Celtiberians. Despite strong resistance, exemplified by Numantia’s 20-year siege, these peoples were subdued. The Celts and Vaccaei became subjects, paying taxes on land they previously owned, now Roman state property. Control over these regions opened the Plateau via the Duero River valley for further conquest.
Lusitanian Wars (155-136 BC)
These conflicts, contemporary with the Celtiberian Wars, were marked by strong resistance, notably by the leader Viriathus and his guerrilla tactics, and Roman repression (Galba). After quelling the resistance, the Romans conquered the area, extending towards the Northwest Peninsula. To eliminate resistance and social tensions, they initiated a rapid “Romanization” by establishing towns and distributing land among Roman soldiers.
Conquest of Balearic Islands (123 BC)
The Balearic Islands, a haven for pirates disrupting Western Mediterranean trade, were conquered by Caecilius Metellus. He subdued the indigenous population and settled former soldiers, distributing land to Iberian war veterans.
Civil Wars: Final Crises of the Republic
Hispania played a significant role in Rome’s civil wars, first between political factions (optimates and populares) and later between Caesar and Pompey. Hispania became a battleground. Caesar gained control, founded Roman citizen colonies, and granted Roman city status to existing settlements. Hispania’s economic potential, strategic location, and advanced Romanization in the south and east made it valuable.
Cantabrian Wars (29-19 BC)
The northwest corner of the Citerior province, north of the Duero, remained outside Roman control, subject only to plundering raids and mercenary recruitment. Octavian Augustus conducted military operations between 29 and 19 BC to subdue these peoples. This completed the peninsula’s conquest, yielding significant economic benefits from its mineral wealth.
Roman Conquest of Mainland
Rome maintained troops in the Iberian Peninsula to control conquered territories. This secured slave labor, land rewards for soldiers, increased production due to new markets and raw materials, among other benefits.
Celtiberian Wars (155-133 BC)
These wars subjected the Vaccaei and Celtiberians. Despite strong resistance, exemplified by Numantia’s 20-year siege, these peoples were subdued. The Celts and Vaccaei became subjects, paying taxes on land they previously owned, now Roman state property. Control over these regions opened the Plateau via the Duero River valley for further conquest.
Lusitanian Wars (155-136 BC)
These conflicts, contemporary with the Celtiberian Wars, were marked by strong resistance, notably by the leader Viriathus and his guerrilla tactics, and Roman repression (Galba). After quelling the resistance, the Romans conquered the area, extending towards the Northwest Peninsula. To eliminate resistance and social tensions, they initiated a rapid “Romanization” by establishing towns and distributing land among Roman soldiers.
Conquest of Balearic Islands (123 BC)
The Balearic Islands, a haven for pirates disrupting Western Mediterranean trade, were conquered by Caecilius Metellus. He subdued the indigenous population and settled former soldiers, distributing land to Iberian war veterans.
Civil Wars: Final Crises of the Republic. Hispania played a significant role in Rome’s civil wars, first between political factions (optimates and populares) and later between Caesar and Pompey. Hispania became a battleground. Caesar gained control, founded Roman citizen colonies, and granted Roman city status to existing settlements. Hispania’s economic potential, strategic location, and advanced Romanization in the south and east made it valuable.
Cantabrian Wars (29-19 BC)
The northwest corner of the Citerior province, north of the Duero, remained outside Roman control, subject only to plundering raids and mercenary recruitment. Octavian Augustus conducted military operations between 29 and 19 BC to subdue these peoples. This completed the peninsula’s conquest, yielding significant economic benefits from its mineral wealth.