Iberian Peninsula: Pre-Roman Civilizations and Roman Conquest

Pre-Roman Civilizations of the Iberian Peninsula

Between the 11th and 4th centuries BC, Indo-European peoples migrated and settled in the northeast mainland and on the plateau, extending north and west.

At the same time, southern regions saw settlements from the Mediterranean. This process, known as historical colonization, is characterized by:

• The foundation of the Phoenician colony of Gadir and along the coasts of Malaga and Granada in the 10th-11th centuries BC.
• Greek settlements on the Catalan coast and the Levant between the 7th and 8th centuries BC, such as Ibiza.
• Carthaginian presence between the 6th and 5th centuries BC.

Greeks also left evidence of the Tartessos civilization, located in southern Spain from the 9th to 7th centuries BC.

Finally, from the beginning of the 5th century BC, the peninsula was divided into two distinct cultural areas: the Iberian peoples in the Mediterranean region and the Celtic peoples on the plains of the Meseta, Central System, Iberian, and Cantabrian Mountains.

Roman Conquest and Romanization of Iberia

The Roman presence on the peninsula extended from the end of the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD, concluding with the arrival of the Germanic peoples.

Phases of Roman Conquest:

• Second Punic War (218-202 BC): Rome gained control of the Mediterranean after defeating Carthage.
• Celtiberian and Lusitanian Wars (154-133 BC): Secured Roman dominance over the plateau and Atlantic regions, including the incorporation of the Balearic Islands in 123 BC.
• Cantabrian Wars (27-19 BC): Led to the complete conquest of the Cantabrian-Asturian territory.

Rome organized the area through a provincial scheme. Initially, the peninsula was divided into Hispania Citerior (Nearer Spain) and Hispania Ulterior. Later, these evolved into Tarraconensis, Lusitania, and Baetica. Further administrative divisions included Gallaecia and Carthaginensis.

The provinces were interconnected by Roman roads and served as central administrative, legal, political, and economic hubs.

Rome also imposed its economic structures, including latifundia (large estates), private property, and slave labor. The economic base was the Triad: agriculture, livestock, and mining.

Thus, a social structure based on wealth emerged, comprising: honestiores (the wealthy elite), humiliores (lower classes), and slaves.

Furthermore, Roman cultural elements were adopted, including Latin, Roman religion, art, and Roman law.