Lusitania

• Lusitania was a Roman Province located in modern Portugal and part of Spain with the capital at Merida (Emerita Augusta), which is now in Spain.

1. History

• Pre-Roman history:
  • Bronze Age Dolmens at Arrayolos
  • 6th century BCE The Lusitani settled the Douro valley, then expanded north and south.
• Acquisition by Rome:
  • The Lusitani were allied to Carthage during the Second Punic War (218-201 BCE).
• Timeline of this Province:
• Under The Republic:
  • 155-139 BCE: The Lusitanian War fought by the Lusitanian tribes against the Roman Republic. They were led by Viriathus in a famous series of Guerilla tactics, including women soldiers, until his assassination in 139 BCE.
  • 61 BCE: Julius Caesar was elected Quaestor, and sent to Lusitania, part of Hispania Ulterior under the Governor Antistius Vetus.
  • 61 BCE: Julius Caesar was then elected Propraetorial Governor of Hispania Ulterior.
  • Based at Scalabis (Santarem, the administrative Capital) up the river Douro from Lisbon, Caesar pursued and attacked the Lusitani between the Tagus and the Douro. He also commanded a naval force into Gallaecia.
  • 60 BCE: Julius Caesar won a series of victories over the Gallaecians and the Lusitanians. His army hailed him as ‘Imperator’ making him eligible for a Roman Triumph.
• After Augustus’ reconstituted the Republic into an Empire (27 BCE):
  • 27 BCE Lusitania became a separate Roman Province.
• After Diocletian’s Reforms (297 CE):
  • 298 CE Lusitanian became part of the Diocesis Hispaniarum.
• After the death of Theodosius (395 CE) and the final split into Eastern Empire and Western Empire:
• Famous Persons from this Province:
  • Viriathus, the Guerilla Leader (c.180-139 BCE).
  • Gaius Appuleius Diocles - Roman Charioteer (104-146 CE)
• Chief archeological Finds:
  • The Ruins of Conimbriga Roman city, classed as a National Monument in Portugal.
  • The Ruins of Emerita Augusta Roman city, classed as a National Monument in Spain.
  • The Tower of Centum Cellas, originally part of a Villa rustica, classed as a National Monument in Portugal.
• Historic Battle Sites:
• Main Historical Sources for this Province:

2. Geography

• Capital City:
  • Merida (Emerita Augusta now in Spain)
• Chief Cities:
  • Beja (Pax Julia), Coimbra (Aeminium), Condeixa-a-Velha (Conimbriga), Evora (Ebora), Faro (Ossonoba), Lagos (Lacobriga), Lisbon (Felicitas Julia Olisipo), Santiago do Cacem (Mirobriga), Porto (Portus Cale), Salamanca (Salamantica), Santarem (Scalabis Julia), Obidos (Eburobrittium)
• Location Today:
  • Portugal, south of the R. Douro, and including Merida in Spain
• Neighbouring Roman Provinces:
  • Hispania Tarraconensis (R. Douro was northern border), Baetica
• Climate and Temperature Today:
  • Mediterranean climate, and a semi-arid climate
  • Winter: Portugal’s north and central mountain areas receive snowfall anytime between October and May, and rainfall.
  • Summer: River Guadiana Plain can reach 45° C, The Algarve annual temperature averages 20° C.
• Main Geographical features:
• Main Rivers:
  • R. Douro, R. Tagus, R. Guadiana
• Mountain Ranges:
  • Sierra de Estrela, Highest Peak 6,539 ft (1,993m).
• Islands:
  • Azores, Madeira, Alentejo Islands, Algarve Islands, Estremadura islands, Minho islands, Beira Litoral Islands, Ribatejo Islands, Beira Baixa islands, Berlengas.

3. Political Organisation

• Province Type
  • Propraetorial Province
• Governor:
  • Propraetor:
    • Otho (who became Emperor for 3 months in 69 CE)
• Tribes and Population:
  • Lusitani (An Ibero-Celtic tribe)
• Language:
  • Latin and Lusitanian

4. Military Organisation

• Legions:
  • None.
• Navy:
  • Unknown.
• Defensive Works:
  • None.
• Main Threats:
  • Internal or External:
  • After 406-9 CE, the Vandals, Alans and Suebi invaded Iberia, with the Suebi settling in Portugal. The Visigoths arrived later forcing the Vandals to leave in 429 CE but ruling the Suebi until 711 CE.

5. Economy

• Chief Exports:
  • Gold, Silver, Copper, Tin, Lead, Iron
• Agriculture and Fishing:
• Manufacturing:
• Mines:
  • Mines of Aljustrel (Metallum Vispascense)
    • The Gold, Silver, Copper, Tin, Lead, Iron from the various mines was brought to the Port of Mertola (Myrtilis Julia) on the River Guadiana. The Ores then travelled downriver to the Atlantic.
  • Sao Domingos Open Pit Mine (Abandoned) in Alentejo
    • Copper, Gold and Silver was mined here for 400 years by the Romans.
• Mints:

6. Transport

• Roads:
  • Via Lusitanorum
    • Lisbon (Felicitas Julia Olisipo)-Leon (Legio)-Bordeaux (Burdiglia)
  • Via de la Plata
    • Seville–Emerita Augusta-Gihon
  • Merida (Emerita Augusta
    • A road network radiated out from the capital to Lisbon (Olisipo), Braga (Bracara Augusta), Astorga (Asturica Augusta) and Toledo (Toletum).
• Waterways:
  • River Douro, R. Tagus, R. Guadiana.
• Ports:
  • Lisbon, Faro, Portus Cale (Vila Nova de Gaia)
• Ancient Trade Routes:
• Number of Days taken to travel from this Province to Rome:

7. Relationship with Rome

• Rome had great difficulty pacifying Portugal during the Roman Republic.
• 155-139 BCE: The Lusitanian War against Viriathus
• 61-60 BCE: Julius Caesar won a series of victories over the Gallaecians and the Lusitanians.
• Then it became a peaceful province with great and wealthy cities.

8. History of Christianity in this Province:

9. Roman Authors describing this Province:

Lusitania