Roman Conquest Stages and Visigothic Institutions in Iberia

1.4. Stages of Roman Conquest of the Peninsula

First Stage (218–206 BC)

During the Second Punic War, Rome was attacked in Italy by Hannibal. To cut off his supplies, a Roman army landed in Emporiae (Ampurias) and advanced southward along the coast, eventually taking Carthage and Cádiz. Rome occupied the entire Mediterranean area and the Ebro Valley, defeating Hannibal.

Second Stage (155–133 BC)

This period involved the Lusitanian Wars and Celtiberian conflicts. The inhabitants of the interior offered great resistance to the Romans, making the conquest very difficult and costly.

• The Lusitanian leader Viriato successfully employed guerrilla techniques until his assassination in 139 BC.
• Intense resistance also came from the Celtiberians; the siege of Numantia is notable, which surrendered and was destroyed in 133 BC.

By this time, the Romans ruled the entire peninsula except for the Cantabrian Coast.

Third Stage (29 BC–19 AD)

Octavian Augustus, the first Roman emperor, personally led the military campaign that defeated the Cantabrian and Asturian peoples. These groups resisted Romanization in a manner similar to how the Visigoths later resisted the Muslims.

1.7. The Visigothic Monarchy: Institutions

Following the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century, various barbarian groups penetrated the peninsula. Initially, the Suebi, Vandals, and Alans arrived. Later, the Visigoths entered and, after being defeated by the Franks, settled permanently in Hispania. They established the first unified state on the peninsula, with its capital in Toledo.

Governance Structure

The king was elected by the nobles. The government was assisted by:

1. The Aula Regia (a council composed mostly of clergy).
2. Dukes and counts who governed the provinces.

The monarchy reached its peak in the second half of the sixth century under Leovigildo, who established a strong central rule. His son, Recaredo, renounced Arianism, achieving religious unification. Later, Recesvinto unified the justice codes (the Liber Iudicorum, which superseded Eurico's code for Visigoths and Alaric's for Hispano-Romans).

With this unification, the Church Councils gained significant importance, evolving into legislative bodies that ratified the kings' decisions.