Hispania Tarraconensis

  • Hispania Tarraconesis was a Roman Province in the northeastern Iberian peninsular, which did not include Baetica (Andalucia) and Lusitania (Portugal).

1. History

  • Pre-Roman history:
    • From at least the 12th century BCE, the Phoenicians were trading along the Iberian coastline.
    • 7th century BCE The Iberians, speaking the Iberian language, are documented by Greek and Roman sources.
    • 575-236 BCE Iberia came under the orbit of Carthage.
    • 236-206 BCE Iberia was occupied by the Carthaginian General, Hamilcar Barca, and came under Carthaginian rule.
    • 218 BCE Hannibal landed here with 37 War Elephants and proceeded to invade Italy via Gaul starting the Second Punic War (218-202 BCE).
  • Acquisition by Rome:
    • 206 BCE Battle of Ilipia, defeat of the Carthaginian armies in Hispania.
  • Timeline of this Province:
  • Under the Roman Republic:
    • 197 BCE Iberia was divided into two Roman Provinces:
      • Hispania Citerior
        • (Ebro area): Aragon, Cataluna, Valencia, a large pat of Castilla la Neuva
      • Hispania Ulterior
        • (Guadalquivir area): Portugal, Andalusia, Extremadura, Leon, a large part of Castilla la Vieja, Cantabria, Asturias, Galicia, El Pais Vasco.
        • The Balearic Islands were included in this Province.
    • 197 BCE Revolt by the Turdetani in southern Spain: followed by a Revolt of the Celtiberians in the north and east of Spain.
    • 195 BCE Cato the Elder became Consul, and was ordered to suppress the Rebellion.
    • 194 BCE Cato returned to Rome leaving behind two Praetors for each Province.
    • 181-133 BCE Celtiberian Wars (181-133 BCE).
      • Three Wars of Resistance to the Romans after the Second Punic War.
      • First Celtiberian War (181-179 BCE). Second Celtiberian War (154-152 BCE). Numantine War (143-133 BCE).
  • Under Augustus (27 BCE):
  • After Diocletion’s Reforms (297 CE):
  • After the death of Theodosius (395 CE) and the final split into Eastern Empire and Western Empire:
    • In 409 CE it was lost to the Vandals, then the Alans.
    • In 472 CE the Visigoths set up a Kingdom which lasted until the Arab Armies invaded in 711 CE.
  • Famous Persons from this Province:
  • Chief Archeological Finds:

2. Geography

3. Political Organisation

  • Province Type:
  • Imperial Propraetorial Province
    • In 123 BCE, the Balearic Islands were annexed and joined Hispania Tarraconensis
    • In 293 CE under Diocletian the Province was split into three Provinces:
      • ‘Gallaecia’
      • ‘Carthaginensis’
      • ‘Tarraconensis’]
      • Balearic Islands: They formed a fourth division ruled by a Praefectus pro legato, called ‘Hispania Balearica’.
  • Governor:
  • Tribes and Population:
    • Celtiberians in north and east, which amongst other Tribes included the Gallaecians, the Astures and the Arevaci. (from the 6th century BCE onwards).
    • Vascones in the north (western Pyrenees)
  • Languages:
    • Celtiberian (northeastern Hispano Celtic, now extinct)

4. Military Organisation:

5. Economy

6. Transport

7. Relationship with Rome

  • Celtiberian Wars (181-133 BCE)
  • Cantabrian Wars (29-19 BCE)
    • These wars required 7 Legions and Augustus' personal supervision, making it one of the most difficult Provinces to pacify.
    • Three Roman Legions remained posted in Cantabrica until 70 CE.
  • After 70 CE, the Province became peaceful, wealthy and remained loyal for the next 340 years.
  • After 409 CE it was lost to the Vandals, then the Alans and in 472 CE, to the Visigoths.

8. History of Christianity in this Province

9. Roman Authors describing this Province

 

Hispania Tarraconensis

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