Hispania Under Roman Rule: Conquest, Society, and Economy

The Romanization of Hispania: A Historical Journey

The presence of the Romans in the Iberian Peninsula began in the 3rd century BC with the start of their conquest, lasting until the 5th century AD when the Western Roman Empire was dismembered.

The Roman Conquest of Hispania

The Roman conquest unfolded in several stages. The arrival of the Romans in the peninsula was intrinsically linked to the Punic Wars, a major confrontation between Rome and Carthage.

• Carthaginian Presence: Carthage held significant colonies in the peninsula, rich in metals and warriors, which Rome sought to control.
• Initial Campaigns: The Romans initiated their conquest from Gades (modern Cádiz), gradually dominating the south and southeast of the peninsula. They founded cities like Cartago Nova (modern Cartagena). Local cities and populations often paid tribute to Carthage's army.
• Hannibal's Strategy: Hannibal, the Carthaginian army chief, famously devised a plan to conquer Rome itself from the peninsula, crossing the Pyrenees and the Alps. His capture of Saguntum (Sagunto) provoked a direct Roman response.
• Roman Counter-Offensive: Rome dispatched two armies to the peninsula, engaging in a protracted conflict against the Carthaginians for approximately 12 years until their expulsion.

The second major period of conquest involved wars against the indigenous peoples of the central plateau. This was a long and arduous struggle, marked by the fierce resistance of groups like the Celtiberians and Lusitanians.

The complete conquest of the peninsula concluded in the 1st century BC, notably under the reign of Emperor Augustus, following the Cantabrian Wars.

Roman Provincial Organization in Hispania

After the conquest, Rome organized its newly acquired territories into provinces. Initially, these were Hispania Citerior (Nearer Spain) and Hispania Ulterior (Further Spain).

Emperor Augustus later restructured the administration, establishing five provinces. Each province was governed by a Roman official whose authority encompassed military, legal, administrative, and fiscal responsibilities.

Economic Foundations of Roman Hispania

Under Roman rule, the economy of Hispania experienced significant growth and transformation. Rome implemented its sophisticated economic system:

• Land Ownership: Conquered lands became the property of the Roman state. Some were returned to former owners, others distributed to Roman settlers or indigenous soldiers, and the remainder rented out.
• Agricultural and Livestock Development: Agriculture and livestock farming remained the cornerstone of Hispania's economy. Romans introduced advanced techniques such as:
  • Fallowing
  • Irrigation systems
  • Use of draft animals
  Major products included cereals, vineyards, olives, fruits, vegetables, and extensive sheep farming.
• Mining: Mining was crucial, with Romans improving extraction systems and significantly increasing production of precious metals and minerals.
• Labor System: The economic system relied heavily on private land ownership, slave labor, and the exchange of goods facilitated by the widespread use of money.

Social Structure in Roman Hispania

The social structure of Roman Hispania was stratified, primarily based on:

• Aristocracy: Comprising Roman citizens and influential local elites.
• Bourgeoisie: Merchants, landowners, and professionals.
• Free Laborers: Peasants and artisans.
• Slaves: A significant portion of the labor force.

Hispano-Roman Cities and Infrastructure

Cities became the vital centers of Roman Hispania, serving as administrative, legal, political, and economic hubs.

• Urban Development: Craft workshops flourished, and trade expanded significantly. The Roman monetary system was widely adopted, and products from Hispania were exported to Rome and other parts of the Empire.
• Road Network: A sophisticated network of roads connected cities, facilitating trade, military movement, and communication.
• Governance: Cities were typically governed by a local council (curia) elected by their citizens, often following Roman municipal models.