240 – 20 BC Punic Wars and Roman conquest of Hispania
Iberia was a tough nut to crack. It took 200 years for the Romans to conquer the peninsular.
The main periods of significance are:
- 264 – 241 BC 1st Punic War
- 240 – 219 BC Barcids build Empire in Spain
- 218 – 154 BC 1st period of Roman Conquest including 2nd Punic War
- 155 – 19 BC 2nd period of Roman Conquest
264 – 241 BC 1st Punic War
Carthage loses Sicily and Sardinia to Rome. The most important Carthaginian General is Hamilcar Barca.
240 – 219 BC Barcids build Empire in Spain
236 BC
Hamilcar Barca conquers the ore-rich southeastern regions of Spain (Sierra Morena)
227 BC
Carthago Novo founded on the southeastern coast of Spain
226 BC
Ebro treaty signed between Hasdrubal (Hamilcar’s son-in-law) and Rome. Under the terms of this treaty Hasdrubal is not to cross the Ebro for unfriendly purposes. In turn, Rome recognised Carthaginian rule south of the Ebro.
221 BC
Hasdrubal murdered, and Hannibal (Hamilcar’s son) takes command of Carthaginian forces in Spain.
219 BC
Rome and Carthage dispute status of the town of Sagumtum (just north of modern Valencia). Hannibal takes Sagumtum. Roman’s demand surrender of Sagumtum and extradiction of Hannibal, but Carthage refuses. Rome declares war.
218 – 154 BC 1st period of Roman conquest including 2nd Punic War
218 BC
First Roman troops (2 legions) arrive in Spain under Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio. Battle of Cesse (Tarraco). Romans establish a permanent base at Tarraco.
215 BC Battle of Ibera
Publius Cornelius Scipio (brother of Gnaeus) defeats the Carthaginian fleet in the mouth of the Ebro. Romans conquer Saguntum. Hasdrubal prevented from reinforcing his brother (Hannibal) in Italy due loss at the battle of Ibera.
213 BC
Romans advance to the Guadalquivir river, and conclude a treaty with Syphax, ruler of Western Numidia.
212 BC Battles of Castulo and Ilorci
Carthaginians (Hasdrubal, Gisco, Mago) and their Ilergetes allies (Prince Indibil) defeat Publius Cornelius Scipio near Castulum (Cazlona). Both Scipio brothers killed. Prince Masinissa of Numidia involved here somewhere on the Carthaginian side. Surviving Romans under Titus Fonteius retreat to the Ebro.
211 BC
25 year old Pro-consul Publius Cornelius Scipio (the younger) sent to Spain to replace his father and uncle. Publius Cornelius Scipio brings M. Junius Silanus with him.
209 – 208 BC
Three Spanish rulers (Prince Indibil of the Ilergetes, King Mandonio of the Ilergavones, Prince Edecon of the Edetani) join the Roman cause. Publius Cornelius Scipio conquers Carthago Novo.
208 BC Battle of Baecula
Publius Cornelius Scipio defeats Hasdrubal at the costly battle of Baecula (Bailen), after which Hadrubal breaks into Italy to support his brother Hannibal.
207 BC Battle in the Meseta
Silanus defeats Hispano-Carthaginians (Mago and Hano) in the Meseta. Lucius Scipio (Brother of Publius Cornelius) attacks Bastetania and captures the capital Auringis (Jaen). The Accitani, based on Acci (Guadix), side with the Romans.
206 BC Battle of Ilipa
Battle of Ilipa (Alcala del Rio) where Scipio defeats Mago and Masinissa. Romans conquer Castulum, Iliturgi (Mengibar), Astapa (Estepa?), Carthago Novo and finally Gades (Cadiz) in southern Spain. Mago departs with the Carthaginian fleet, thus ending Carthaginian domination of Spain.
Following the battle of Ilipa in 206 BC Two Spanish Kings (Indibil of the Ilergetes and Mandonio of the Ilergavones) revolt against Rome, and invade the territories of Rome’s allies the Suessetani and Edetani. Publius Cornelius Scipio defeats them.
205 BC Defeat of the Ilergetes and Ilergavones
In 205 BC Indibil and Mandonio continue to cause trouble, but Indibil is defeated and killed in battle, and Mandonio is captured and executed.
204 BC
Publius Cornelius Scipio crosses into Africa to greater fame and glory.
197 BC Revolt of the Turdetani
In south-west Hispania the Turdetani (under Culcas and Luxinio), supported by the cities of Sexi (Almuñecar) and Malaca (Málaga), defeat and kill C. Sempronius Tuditanis (one of the new Roman governors sent that year) .
195 BC Defeat of the Ausetani, Bargusi, Edetani and Suessetani
The Ausetani and Bargusi in north-east Hispania submit to the new Consul M. Porcius Cato. The Bargusi submit after Cato takes their capital Bergium (Berga). The Edetani in north-east Hispania submit to the praetor P. Manlius. Siege of Segontia (Segorbe?). Suessetani submit.
194 BC Defeat of the Iacetani; 2nd Battle of Ilipa
Assisted by the Suessetani, Cato takes the Iacetani capital Iacca (Jaca). The Lusitani in south-west Hispania are defeated at Ilipa.
193 BC Battle of Toletum
The governor of south-west Hispania, M. Fulvius Nobilior, defeats a confederation near Toletum (Toledo). The Vaccei and Vettones are the main contributors to the confederation.
192 – 178 BC General uprisings throughout Hispania
155 – 19 BC 2nd period of Roman Conquest
155 – 138 BC Lusitan Wars
153 – 151 BC 1st Numantine War
143 – 133 BC 2nd Numantine War
104 – 103 BC Invasion of the Cimbrians and Teutones
99 BC Uprisings in the Meseta
82 – 72 BC Sertorian wars
61 – 60 BC C. Julius Caesars campaigns against the Lusitani
56 BC Revolt of the Vaccei
49 – 44 BC Roman Civil War in Spain
39 – 37 Uprising of the Cessetani
29 – 19 BC Campaigns against the Cantabri, Vaccei and Astures