Hispania Tarraconensis

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Provincia Hispania Tarraconensis
Province of the Roman Empire
27 BC–459
Roman Empire - Tarraconensis (125 AD).svg
Capital Tarraco
Historical era Antiquity
 Established
27 BC
 Visigothic conquest
459
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Blank.png Hispania Citerior
Visigothic Kingdom Blank.png
Kingdom of the Suebi Blank.png
Today part of Spain
Portugal

Hispania Tarraconensis was one of three Roman provinces in Hispania. It encompassed much of the northern, eastern and central territories of modern Spain along with modern northern Portugal. Southern Spain, the region now called Andalusia, was the province of Hispania Baetica. On the Atlantic west lay the province of Lusitania, partially coincident with modern-day Portugal.

Contents

History

Hispania Tarraconensis in 27 BC Hispania 2a division provincial.svg
Hispania Tarraconensis in 27 BC

Establishment

The Phoenicians and Carthaginians colonised the Mediterranean coast of Iberia in the 8th to 6th centuries BC. The Greeks later also established colonies along the coast. The Romans arrived in the 2nd century BC during the Second Punic War.

The province Hispania Citerior Tarraconensis was established in the reign of Augustus as the direct successor of the Roman Republican province of Hispania Citerior ("nearer Hispania"), which had been ruled by a propraetor. [1] The roots of the Augustan reorganisation of Hispania are found in Pompey the Great's division of Hispania between three of his legates at the end of the Republic, immediately before his civil war with Julius Caesar. As a result of the agreements that led to the formation of the First Triumvirate in 60 BC, Pompey had received the governorship of the Iberian provinces. Given that he preferred to remain in Rome, where he could oversee affairs in the capital, he delegated the government of Hispania to three legates:

Augustus, wearing the toga of a consul, the role that he held in 27-6 BC when he founded Tarraco. Roman Marble Statue of Emperor Augustus as a Magistrate; Head 30-20 BC; Body 2nd C. AD (27692079524).jpg
Augustus, wearing the toga of a consul, the role that he held in 27–6 BC when he founded Tarraco.

At the end of the civil wars, Pompey's division was consolidated by Augustus in 27 BC, when he formally established the three provinces of Hispania Citerior Tarraconensis, Hispania Ulterior Lusitania (corresponding to modern Portugal, apart from the northern region of the modern country, plus Spanish Extremadura), and Hispania Ulterior Baetica (corresponding to the southern part of Spain, i.e. Andalusia). Citerior and Lusitania were Imperial provinces, while Baetica was a Senatorial province.

The creation of these new provinces was achieved in order to facilitate the incorporation of the northwestern portion of the Iberian peninsula, inhabited by the Gallaeci, Cantabri, and Astures, into the Roman empire. Tarraconensis thus served as a base for the annexation of these territories during the Cantabrian Wars (27–19 BC). Augustus himself resided from 27 to 26 BC [2] at Segisama (modern Sasamón, Burgos), [3] [4] and at Tarraco, [5] where he received an embassy from India. During this period he was accompanied by his nephew and heir, Marcellus, [6] and his stepson, the future emperor Tiberius, both of whom served as military tribunes in 25 BC in the conflict with the Cantabrians – the pair's first military commands. [7]

The name of the province derives from its capital, Colonia Urbs Triumphalis Tarraco. The provincial borders were modified in 12 BC, in order to incorporate the Galician and Asturian territories which had previously belonged to Lusitania, and perhaps to an ephemeral Transduriana province before that, [8] as well as the mining area around Castulo that had previously been part of Baetica. This reorganisation meant that all Roman troops stationed in Hispania were henceforth under the command of a single Roman legate based at Tarraconensis and that the main mining regions, which supplied precious metals to the Imperial treasury (gold in the Galician Massif, silver in Sierra Morena), were under the direct control of the Imperial administration, with easy access by sea to Italia and Rome, where the Imperial mints were located.

Pacification and Romanisation under the Julio-Claudians and Flavians

In addition to creating the province and setting its borders, Augustus followed the directions left by Julius Caesar in granting many communities in the province the privileged status of colonia [9] or municipium (Roman or Latin), especially along the Levante coast, the part of Baetica transferred to the province in 12 BC, and the Ebro Valley, along with some foundations on the Meseta Central and in the northeast. He also regularised the status of the other political entities in the province, the civitates stipendiaria (communities subject to tribute), whose affairs could be directly intervened in by the governor.

This policy was continued by Tiberius (AD 14–37), who increased the number of municipia in the northern part of the Meseta Central.

Denarius of Tiberius. The introduction of Roman coinage throughout Tarraconensis allowed its inhabitants to engage more closely with the commercial networks of the Mediterranean world. Denarius of Tiberius (YORYM 2000 1953) obverse.jpg
Denarius of Tiberius. The introduction of Roman coinage throughout Tarraconensis allowed its inhabitants to engage more closely with the commercial networks of the Mediterranean world.

Between the reigns of Augustus and Nero, imperial interventions led to the regularisation of the old pre-Roman roads and their conversion into Roman roads, which formed a framework for the provincial territory which brought the provincials into contact with Roman culture (Latin rapidly became the common language of the province) and gave them access to highly developed economic networks and a monetary economy. Ceramics began to be imported in large quantities - Arretine ware from Italy under Augustus and Tiberius and Samian ware from Gaul between the reigns of Caligula and Vespasian.

The province was effectively at peace except for an attempt at rebellion by the Astures under Nero which was easily suppressed by a primus pilus of the Legio VI Victrix . As a result, it was possible to progressively reduce the military garrison of the province. In AD 42-43, Claudius transferred the Legio IV Macedonica to Germania and in AD 63 Nero sent the Legio X Gemina to Pannonia.

Epitaph of L. Valerius Reburrinus, frumentarius of the Legio VII Gemina, who was an important member of the governor's officium under Septimius Severus. TarracoVALREB.jpg
Epitaph of L. Valerius Reburrinus, frumentarius of the Legio VII Gemina, who was an important member of the governor's officium under Septimius Severus.

In AD 68, Galba, who had governed the province since AD 61, was invited by Vindex to join his rebellion against Nero. When Galba received news that Nero had decided to have him killed, he accepted Vindex's offer, justifying the decision, according to Suetonius, by an oracle delivered by a young prophet two centuries earlier, which predicted that a new ruler of the world would arise in Clunia. [10]

Therefore, Galba proclaimed himself emperor at Clunia. After receiving the support of the governor of Lusitania, the future emperor Otho, he expanded the military forces of the province, [11] which consisted of the Legio VI Victrix, two cavalry alae, and three infantry cohortes, by recruiting various auxiliaries, at least three cohorts of Vascones, and the Legio VII Galbiana, and then he set out for Rome in order to seize power. After Galba was assassinated, the province was controlled in succession by partisans of Otho, then Vitelius, before finally coming under the control of Vespasian, the first Flavian emperor.

Under Vespasian an edict seems to have been promulgated, perhaps in AD 74, which permitted many of the province's urban communities to become municipia with Latin rights over the course of his reign and that of his successors, Titus and Domitian. Vespasian also decided to maintain a reduced military garrison in the province, consisting of the Legio VII Gemina Felix and its auxiliary units, which was focused mainly on supporting the work of the provincial governor, carrying out policing, and supervising mining work in the province.

Pliny the Elder served as procurator in Tarraconensis in AD 73.

Under Diocletian, in 293, Hispania Tarraconensis was divided in three smaller provinces: Gallaecia, Carthaginensis and Tarraconensis. The Imperial province of Hispania Tarraconensis lasted until the invasions of the 5th century, beginning in 409, when Suebi, Vandals and Alans crossed the Pyrenees, and ended with the establishment of a Visigothic kingdom.

The invasion resulted in widespread exploitation of metals, especially gold, tin and silver. The alluvial gold mines at Las Medulas show that Roman engineers worked the deposits on a very large scale using several aqueducts up to 30 miles (48 km) long to tap water in the surrounding mountains. By running fast water streams on the soft rocks, they were able to extract large quantities of gold by hydraulic mining methods (Ruina montium). When the gold had been exhausted, they followed the auriferous seams underground by tunnels using fire-setting to break up the much harder gold-bearing rocks. Pliny the Elder gives a good account of the methods used in Hispania, presumably based on his own observations.

Geography and political organisation

Plan of the city of Tarraco, capital of Tarraconensis Tarraco Lageplan.png
Plan of the city of Tarraco, capital of Tarraconensis

Borders and extent

At its greatest extent, the province Hispania Tarraconensis covered about two thirds of the Iberian Peninsula. The Pyrenees mountains to the north formed the border with Gaul. The border with Lusitania to the southwest ran from the Cale (modern Oporto, Portugal) along the Douro river and then the Tormes river. The border with Baetica ran from Castulo (modern Linares), through Acci (Guadix), to the bay of Almería. [12]

With a surface area of around 380,000 km2 and an estimated population of 3-3.5 million (giving an average population density of 8-9 people/km2), at the date of its creation, Tarraconensis was probably the largest province in the Roman empire. [13]

Administrative organisation

Under Augustus' division of the provinces in 27 BC, Tarraconensis was an Imperial province like Lusitania, while Baetica was a Senatorial province. Tarraconensis was of consular rank, while the other two were praetorian. [14] The governor was entitled legatus Augusti pro praetore , who was a senator of consular rank. The capital of the province was the colonia of Tarraco. In the time of Augustus and Tiberius, according to Strabo, the province was garrisoned by three legions – subsequently reduced to two by Caligula, and to one by Nero. [15]

Division of Hispania into provinces and conventus Conventus juridici in Hispania.jpg
Division of Hispania into provinces and conventus

Because of the scale of the province, at some point between the reigns of Tiberius and Claudius, the province was divided into seven conventus iuridici (assize districts), each managed by a legatus iuridicus , who was appointed by the Emperor directly. These districts were:

The Arch of Medinaceli, which may have marked the boundary between the Conventus Cluniensis and Caesaraugustanus Ancient Roman triumphal arch of Medinaceli-Spain.jpg
The Arch of Medinaceli, which may have marked the boundary between the Conventus Cluniensis and Caesaraugustanus
CIL II 2552, a votive inscription erected in honour of Jupiter by the Legio VII Gemina for the health of the emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus which includes among the dedicants, the procurator metallorum, an imperial freedman called Hermes. CILII2552.JPG
CIL II 2552, a votive inscription erected in honour of Jupiter by the Legio VII Gemina for the health of the emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus which includes among the dedicants, the procurator metallorum, an imperial freedman called Hermes.

In each of the conventus capitals there was an Imperial cult centre, dedicated to the Genius Augusti and the deified emperors, with its own male and female priests, the flamen Augusti and flamenica Augusti, who were chosen by the elites of the privileged communities of the province (the coloniae and municipia). Each year, they chose one of their number to be the flamen and flamenica (they were not required to be married to one another) of the Imperial cult for the whole province, discharging their functions in the provincial forum in Tarraco.

The fiscal administration of Tarraconensis mostly fell to an Imperial procurator (procurator Caesaris), appointed by the Emperor directly from among the equestrian order. This procurator was based in the provincial capital and managed the collection of taxes for the whole province. Nevertheless, from the late first century or early second century AD, the gold mines in the northwestern part of the province were managed by a separate procurator, the procurator metallorum, who was usually and Imperial freedman and was based at Asturica Augusta. These procurators reported directly to the emperor, not to the provincial governor, although in practice both had to collaborate with the provincial administration.

Urban framework

The lowest level of administration in the province were the cities (Latin: civitates), organised politically in the Roman manner ( coloniae and municipia ) or in a traditional mode retaining institutions that preceded the Roman conquest but operating under the direct supervision of the provincial governors. These communities - both Roman and indigenous - generally enjoyed a high level of autonomy, administering themselves without excessive intervention from the governors. Over time, the indigenous communities tended to adapt their institutions of self-government to match the model of the Roman municipia and coloniae. The principal difference between the two types of community was the application of Roman law to them. For citizens of coloniae and muncipia it was obligatory, while for non-Romans it was optional, except in interactions with the Imperial authorities and with individual Roman citizens, in which case Roman law over-ruled local legal systems.

First-century AD Roman lamp from the Municipium Urbs Victrix Osca (modern Huesca) LucernaHuesca.JPG
First-century AD Roman lamp from the Municipium Urbs Victrix Osca (modern Huesca)

According to Strabo, Pliny the Elder (who served as procurator the province), and Claudius Ptolemy, there was a substantial number of cities in Tarraconensis, especially in the Ebro Valley and on the Mediterranean coast, but fewer in number in the north and northwest, along the Cantabiran coast and in Galicia. [16]

Excepting the communities on the Balearic Islands, Pliny states that: [16]

Now, the whole province is divided into 7 conventus: Carthaginiensis, Tarraconensis, Caesaraugustus, Clunienis, Asturus, Lucensis, and Bracarus... The province itself contains (aside from the 293 communities that are subordinate to others) 179 cities, among which there are 12 coloniae, 13 cities of Roman citizens, 18 of old Latins, 1 city of foederati, and 135 cities subject to tax.

Pliny the Elder, Naturalis Historia 3.18
Denarius of Emperor Vespasian, who extended Latin citizenship to all communities of Hispania in the AD 70s Imp 0003 vesp.jpg
Denarius of Emperor Vespasian, who extended Latin citizenship to all communities of Hispania in the AD 70s

All free inhabitants of Roman coloniae held Roman citizenship. The coloniae in the province, established by Julius Caesar, the Second Triumvirate, or Augustus, both coloniae and municipia belonged to the Roman tribe of Galeria, except for Caesaraugusta, which was in that of Aniensis. All free men who served as municipal magistrates (duoviri or aediles) in municipia would obtain Roman citizenship, being assigned to the tribe Quirina.

According to Pliny the Elder, the Emperor Vespasian extended Latin citizenship to all other inhabitants of Hispania, which meant that they were legally permitted to conduct business under Roman law (ius commercii) and marry Roman woman (ius conubii). The date of this grant is disputed, perhaps falling shortly after his accession to power in AD 69 or in AD 74. [17] The concession of this right was used by many tributary and subordinate communities in Tarraconensis to transform themselves into municipia, e.g. Nova Augusta (Lara de los Infantes, Burgos), Bergidum Flavium (Torre del Bierzo, El Bierzo, León), Segovia , Duratón (Segovia), and Aqua Flaviae (Chaves, Portugal).

Les Ferreres Aqueduct, built under Augustus to supply water to the provincial capital, Tarraco. Roman aqueduct Tarragona.jpg
Les Ferreres Aqueduct, built under Augustus to supply water to the provincial capital, Tarraco.
Roman Theater of Zaragoza, capital of a conventus iuridicus, built under Augustus and Tiberius. Teatro Romano Cesaraugusta-vista desde arriba-3.jpg
Roman Theater of Zaragoza, capital of a conventus iuridicus, built under Augustus and Tiberius.
Remains of a Roman house at Vareia [es] (Logrono). Vareia-detailed-view.jpg
Remains of a Roman house at Vareia  [ es ] (Logroño).
Theatre of Clunia Sulpicia, built by Tiberius in the most important city of Duero basin, capital of the largest conventus iuridicus in Hispania. Teatro de Clunia 01.JPG
Theatre of Clunia Sulpicia, built by Tiberius in the most important city of Duero basin, capital of the largest conventus iuridicus in Hispania.
Aqueduct of Segovia, built by Domitian. AcueductoSegovia edit1.jpg
Aqueduct of Segovia, built by Domitian.
Detail of the remains of Iuliobriga, the most important city in Roman Cantabria, showing the columns of the stoas which ran along the decumanus maximus. Decumanus Maximus a su paso por las casas de la Llanuca 2.jpg
Detail of the remains of Iuliobriga , the most important city in Roman Cantabria, showing the columns of the stoas which ran along the decumanus maximus.
Tower of Hercules, a Roman lighthouse built in the second century AD at the Municipium Flavium Brigantium in A Coruna. Faro Torre Hercules La Coruna Galicia Espana.jpg
Tower of Hercules, a Roman lighthouse built in the second century AD at the Municipium Flavium Brigantium in A Coruña.
Roman Bridge of Chaves at Aqua Flaviae. The cadrao dos pobos inscription indicates that its construction was funded by ten local communities with the aid of the Legio VII Gemina. Ponte Romana1.jpg
Roman Bridge of Chaves at Aqua Flaviae. The cadrao dos pobos inscription indicates that its construction was funded by ten local communities with the aid of the Legio VII Gemina .

The main cities in the province were:

Conventus Tarraconensis
NameModern nameStatusEstablished by
Tarraco Tarragona ColoniaJulius Caesar and Augustus
Barcino Barcelona ColoniaJulius Caesar and Augustus
Iesso Guissona, LleidaMunicipium Flavian dynasty
Aeso Isona i Conca Dellà, Lleida MunicipiumFlavian dynasty
Iulia Libica Llívia, GironaMunicipiumJulius Caesar
Ausa Vic, Barcelona MunicipiumAugustus
Baetulo Badalona, BarcelonaMunicipiumAugustus
Iluro Mataró, BarcelonamunicipiumJulius Caesar
Emporiae Empúries, Girona ColoniaJulius Caesar
Gerunda Girona MunicipiumAugustus
Dertosa Tortosa, Tarragona MunicipiumAugustus
Valentia Valencia MunicipiumAugustus
Saguntum Sagunt, ValenciamunicipiumJulius Caesar
Edeta Llíria, ValenciaMunicipiumAugustus
Conventus Caesaraugustanus
NameModern nameStatusEstablished by
Ilerda Lleida MuncipiumAugustus
Osca Huesca MuncipiumAugustus
Iaca Jaca, HuescaMunicipium?
Labitolosa La Puebla de Castro, HuescaMunicipiumFlavian dynasty
Caesar Augusta Zaragoza ColoniaAugustus
Augusta Bilbilis Calatayud, Zaragoza MunicipiumAugustus
Turiaso Tarazona, ZaragozaMunicipiumAugustus
Celsa Velilla de Ebro, ZaragozaColoniaSecond Triumvirate
Bursau Borja, ZaragozaMunicipiumFlavian dynasty
Arcobriga Monreal de Ariza, Zaragoza
Osicerda La Puebla de Híjar, Teruel MunicipiumAugustus
Segontia Sigüenza, Guadalajara MunicipiumFlavian dynasty [18]
Pompaelo Pamplona, Navarra MunicipiumJulius Caesar
Cara Santacara, Navarra
Andelos Mendigorría, Navarra
Vareia Logroño, La Rioja MunicipiumAugustus
Tritium Magallum Tricio, La RiojaMunicipiumFlavian dynasty
Libia Herramélluri, La RiojaMunicipium?Flavian dynasty?
Graccurris Alfaro, La RiojaMunicipiumAugustus
Cascantum Cascante, NavarraMunicipiumAugustus
Calagurris Calahorra, La RiojaMunicipiumJulius Caesar
Oiasso Irún, Guipúzcoa Municipium?
Veleia Iruña de Oca, Province of Álava MunicipiumAugustus
Ercavica Cañaveruelas, CuencaMunicipiumAugustus
Complutum Alcalá de Henares, Province of Madrid MunicipiumAugustus
Conventus Carthaginensis
NameModern nameStatusEstablished by
Carthago Nova Cartagena, Murcia ColoniaJulius Caesar
Saetabi Xàtiva, Valencia MunicipiumAugustus
Illici Elche, Alicante ColoniaAugustus
Dianum Denia, Alicante MunicipiumAugustus
Lucentum Alicante MunicipiumAugustus
Toletum Toledo MunicipiumAugustus
Begastri Cehegín, Murcia Municipium?Flavian dynasty?
Libisosa Lezuza, Albacete ColoniaAugustus
Salaria Úbeda, Jaén ColoniaAugustus
Sisapo Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real MunicipiumAugustus
Ilugo Venta de San Andrés, Santisteban del Puerto, JaénMunicipiumFlavian dynasty
Castulo Linares, JaénMunicipiumJulius Caesar
Acci Guadix, Granada ColoniaAugustus
Valeria Valeria, Cuenca MunicipiumAugustus
Titulciam Titulcia, Madrid MunicipiumFlavian dynasty
Segobriga Saelices, Cuenca MunicipiumAugustus
Conventus Cluniensis
NameModern nameStatusEstablished by
Flaviobriga Castro-Urdiales, Cantabria ColoniaVespasian
Portus Victoriae Iuliobrigensium Santander o Santoña (Cantabria)Municipium?Flavian
Portus Blendium Suances, CantabriaMunicipium?
Juliobriga Retortillo, near Reinosa, CantabriaMunicipiumFlavian
Clunia Peñalba de Castro, Burgos Municipium; ColoniaTiberius; Vespasian
Occilis Medinaceli, Soria Municipium?Flavian
Numantia Numancia, Soria Municipium?Flavian
Termentia Montejo de Tiermes, SoriaMunicipiumTiberius
Uxama Argaela El Burgo de Osma, SoriaMunicipiumTiberius
Augustobriga Muro de Ágreda, SoriaMunicipium?Flavian?
Palantia Palencia Municipium?Flavian?
Pintia Padilla de Duero, Valladolid Municipium?
Intercatia Montealegre de Campos, ValladolidMunicipium?Flavian?
Albocela Villalazán, Zamora Municipium?Augustus?
Septimanca Simancas, Valladolid
Rauda Roa, BurgosMunicipium?Flavian?
Deobrigula Tardajos, Burgos MunicipiumFlavian?
Virovesca Briviesca, BurgosMunicipium?
Deobriga Miranda de Ebro, BurgosMunicipium?Augustus?
Segisama Iulia Sasamón, BurgosMunicipiumFlavian
Nova Augusta Lara de los Infantes, BurgosMunicipiumFlavian
Cauca Coca, Segovia MunicipiumFlavian
Confluenta Duratón, SegoviaMunicipiumFlavian
Segovia Segovia MunicipiumFlavian
BrigecoDehesa de Morales de las Cuevas, Castrogonzalo, Zamora MunicipiumFlavian
Conventus Asturicensis
NameModern nameStatusEstablished by
Gigia Gijón, Asturias Municipium?Flavian?
Lucus AsturumLugo de Llanera, Asturias
Flavionavia Pravia, Asturias?Municipium?Flavian?
Asturica Augusta Astorga, León Municipium?Augustus?
León cannaba of Legio VI Victrix and then Legio VII Gemina
Lancia Villasabariego, León MunicipiumFlavian
BeduniaSan Martín de Torres, León
Bergidum Flavium Cacabelos, León MunicipiumFlavian
Interamnium Flavium Bembibre, León MunicipiumFlavian
Petavonium Rosinos de Vidriales, Zamora cannaba of Legio X Gemina and of Ala II Flavia Hispanorum, later Municipium?
Conventus Lucensis
NameModern nameStatusEstablished by
Ardobicum Coronium La Coruña MunicipiumFlavian
Flavium BrigantiumBetanzos, La Coruña?MunicipiumFlavian
Iria Flavia Padrón, La Coruña MunicipiumFlavian
Vico Spacorum Vigo, Pontevedra MunicipiumFlavian
Lucus AugustiLugoMunicipium?Augustus?
Conventus Bracaraugustanorum
NameModern nameStatusEstablished by
Municipium Limicorum Xinzo de Limia, Ourense MunicipiumFlavian
Bracara Augusta Braga, Portugal Municipium?Augustus?
Aquae Flaviae Chaves, PortugalMunicipiumFlavian
Cale and Portum Cale Oporto, PortugalMunicipium?

Roman military garrisons

In order to guarantee order and security in the province after the Cantabrian Wars (26 BC–19 BC), three legions were established in the province:

Tile inscribed L(egio) VII G(emina) GORD(iana) P(ia) F(elix), produced by the Legio, which indicates the presence of the Legio VII Gemina in Tarraconensis in the 3rd century AD. LadrilloLVIIGFP.JPG
Tile inscribed L(egio) VII G(emina) GORD(iana) P(ia) F(elix), produced by the Legio, which indicates the presence of the Legio VII Gemina in Tarraconensis in the 3rd century AD.
Hispania under Hadrian (AD 117-138), with the location of the castra legionis VII Geminae, with the principle locations for the extraction of precious metals and the main roads. Iberian Peninsula in 125-en.svg
Hispania under Hadrian (AD 117-138), with the location of the castra legionis VII Geminae, with the principle locations for the extraction of precious metals and the main roads.

These legions were supported by various auxiliary units, like the Ala Parthorum and the Cohors IV Gallorum, but it is very difficult to tell exactly where and when these units were garrisoned in the peninsula.

In AD 68, according to Suetonius, [19] Galba removed one legion, the Legio VI Vitrix, two cavalry alae, and three infantry cohortes. In order to reinforce these troops, a new legion was recruited, the future Legio VII Gemina and a number of similar auxiliary units, notably the Vascones cohortes, but all these units joined Galba when he invaded Italy to seize the Imperial throne.

In AD 69, Vitellius ordered the Legio X Gemina to be dispatched to the Iberian peninsula, [20] accompanied by the Legio I Adiutrix . We do not know exactly where they were stationed; it may have been in Baetica and the southeastern part of Tarraconensis to prevent a possible invasion from North Africa, which was controlled by Lucius Clodius Macer. In any case, both legions and the Legio VI Victrix abandoned Vitellius and declared their support for Vespasian, who quickly sent them to Germania Inferior to suppress the revolt of Gaius Julius Civilis.

Subsequently, in AD 74, Vespasian ordered the Legio VII Gemina to be garrisoned in Leon at the site of the old camp of the Legio VI Victrix. The Legio VII Gemina continued to garrison the province until the beginning of the 5th century AD.

Semis minted at Carthago Nova under Augustus, dedicated to Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, with a trophy on the reverse, celebrating Agrippa's victory over the Cantabrians and the Asturians. The coin indicates the economic power of the province and the Cartagena mining region. Agrippa Carthago Nova.jpg
Semis minted at Carthago Nova under Augustus, dedicated to Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, with a trophy on the reverse, celebrating Agrippa's victory over the Cantabrians and the Asturians. The coin indicates the economic power of the province and the Cartagena mining region.

The Legio VII Gemina dispatched vexillationes to the following parts of the provinces in Hispania:

By the last quarter of the 1st century AD at the latest, five auxiliary units of the Legio VII Gemina were stationed in the province:

This arrangement endured from the 2nd century through to the fifth century AD, with the maximum garrison of Roman troops in Hispanis never exceeding a total of 7712 soldiers.

See also

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Legio X Equestris, a Roman legion, was levied by Julius Caesar in 61 BC when he was the Governor of Hispania Ulterior. The Tenth was the first legion levied personally by Caesar and was consistently his most trusted. Legio X was famous in its day and throughout history, because of its portrayal in Caesar's Commentaries and the prominent role the Tenth played in his Gallic campaigns. Its soldiers were discharged in 45 BC. Its remnants were reconstituted, fought for Mark Antony and Octavian, disbanded, and later merged into X Gemina.

Legio X <i>Gemina</i> Roman legion

Legio X Gemina, was a legion of the Imperial Roman army. It was one of the four legions used by Julius Caesar in 58 BC, for his invasion of Gaul. There are still records of the X Gemina in Vienna in the beginning of the 5th century. The legion symbol was a bull. Early on in its history, the legion was called X Equestris (mounted), because Caesar once used the legionaries as cavalry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legio VI Victrix</span> Roman legion

Legio VI Victrix was a legion of the Imperial Roman army founded in 41 BC by the general Octavian. It was the twin legion of VI Ferrata and perhaps held veterans of that legion, and some soldiers kept to the traditions of the Caesarian legion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hispania Baetica</span> Roman province in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula

Hispania Baetica, often abbreviated Baetica, was one of three Roman provinces created in Hispania on 27 BC. Baetica was bordered to the west by Lusitania, and to the northeast by Tarraconensis. Baetica remained one of the basic divisions of Hispania under the Visigoths down to 711, when it was absorbed by the Islamic conquest into Al Andalus. Its territory approximately corresponds to modern Andalusia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tarraco</span> Ancient city on the site of modern Tarragona, Catalonia,Spain

Tarraco is the ancient name of the current city of Tarragona. It was the oldest Roman settlement on the Iberian Peninsula. It became the capital of Hispania Tarraconensis following the latter's creation during the Roman Empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of Portuguese history (Lusitania and Gallaecia)</span>

This is a historical timeline of Portugal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hispania Citerior</span> Roman province in Hispania during the Roman Republic

Hispania Citerior was a Roman province in Hispania during the Roman Republic. It was on the eastern coast of Iberia down to the town of Cartago Nova, today's Cartagena in the autonomous community of Murcia, Spain. It roughly covered today's Spanish autonomous communities of Catalonia and Valencia. Further south was the Roman province of Hispania Ulterior, named as such because it was further away from Rome.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legio VII Gemina</span> Roman legion

Legio VII Gemina was a legion of the Imperial Roman army. It was raised in AD 68 in Hispania by the general Galba to take part in his rebellion against the emperor Nero. "Gemina" means the legion was dedicated to the legendary twin founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus, who were suckled by a she-wolf. The legion was deployed in the city called Legio in AD 74 and remained in Hispania to the end of the 4th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hispania</span> Roman province (218 BC – 472 AD)

Hispania was the Roman name for the Iberian Peninsula and its provinces. Under the Roman Republic, Hispania was divided into two provinces: Hispania Citerior and Hispania Ulterior. During the Principate, Hispania Ulterior was divided into two new provinces, Baetica and Lusitania, while Hispania Citerior was renamed Hispania Tarraconensis. Subsequently, the western part of Tarraconensis was split off, initially as Hispania Nova, which was later renamed "Callaecia". From Diocletian's Tetrarchy onwards, the south of the remainder of Tarraconensis was again split off as Carthaginensis, and all of the mainland Hispanic provinces, along with the Balearic Islands and the North African province of Mauretania Tingitana, were later grouped into a civil diocese headed by a vicarius. The name Hispania was also used in the period of Visigothic rule.

Legio VI Hispana may have been a legion of the Imperial Roman army. Only a few records attesting a "VI Hispana" were known in 2015. Seyrig (1923) argued that this unit was created in AD 68 and disappeared before 197. Another theory is that VI Hispana was created after 197 and was destroyed in the turmoil of the Empire's Third Century Crisis.

This section of the timeline of Hispania concerns Spanish and Portuguese history events from the Carthaginian conquests to before the barbarian invasions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Romanization of Hispania</span>

The Romanization of Hispania is the process by which Roman or Latin culture was introduced into the Iberian Peninsula during the period of Roman rule.

The territory of modern-day Portugal was Romanized following the events of the Second Punic War, through the Roman conquest of the Iberian Peninsula.

References

  1. Livy, The History of Rome, 41.8.
  2. Suetonius, Augustus. 20
  3. Florus 2.33
  4. Orosius, History against the Pagans 7.21.
  5. Cassius Dio 53.25.7.
  6. Cassius Dio 53.25.8.
  7. Suetonius Tiberius 9.1.
  8. Bierzo Edict (and in Hispania Epigraphica 8, 1998, n. 325, pp. 115-158), but arguments that this inscription is a fake in Alicia M. Canto, "Rarezas epigráficas e históricas en los nuevos edictos augusteos de El Bierzo", in El bronce de Bembibre: un edicto del emperador Augusto del año 15 a.C., Luis A. Grau Lobo & José Luis Hoyas (edd.), Museo de León, 2001, pp. 153-166, and challenges to the existence of this province: F. Martín, "Sobre el significado de prouincia" Archived 2009-12-15 at the Wayback Machine , in Urbs Aeterna, Coloquio Internacional Roma entre la Literatura y la Historia, homenaje a la Prof. Carmen Castillo, Pamplona, 2003, pp. 593-610.
  9. Res Gestae Divi Augusti Tab. V, 28.
  10. Suetonius, Life of Galba 10.
  11. Suetonius, Life of Galba 10.2
  12. "Copia archivada" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 March 2010. Retrieved 4 September 2009.
  13. K. J. Beloch, La popolazione del mondo greco-romano. Con appendici, Arnaldo Forni Editore, Reimpresión anastática de la edición de 1909, Bologna, 1977, pp 401-402, ISBN 88-271-8103-2,9788827181034
  14. Strabo 3.4.20; Pomponius Mela Chorogr. 2.79.
  15. Strabo 3.4.20
  16. 1 2 Alicia M- CANTO (1996). "OPPIDA STIPENDIARIA: LOS MUNICIPIOS FLAVIOS EN LA DESCRIPCIÓN DE HISPANIA DE PLINIO" (PDF). CuPAUAM. 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  17. Levick, Barbara (2017). Vespasian (second ed.). London: Routledge. p. 148. ISBN   9781317481348.
  18. "Copia archivada" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 Apr 2010. Retrieved 4 Sep 2009.
  19. Suet., Vit. Galb. 10.2
  20. Tacitus, Hist. 2.58.2

41°06′59″N1°15′19″E / 41.1165°N 1.2552°E / 41.1165; 1.2552