Briefing – Roman Interaction with Galicia and the Iberian Peninsula

Roman Interaction with Galicia and the Iberian Peninsula

Early Roman Interest and Expansion (218 BCE – 133 BCE):

• Roman Invasion of Hispania: The Romans’ first significant incursions into the Iberian Peninsula began in 218 BCE during the Second Punic War, when Hannibal Barca, the Carthaginian general, crossed the Alps and threatened Rome. This prompted Roman intervention to ensure control of their western Mediterranean territories.
• Roman Campaigns in Iberia: The Romans initially struggled to fully subdue the various Iberian tribes, which were divided into Celtic, Iberian, and other regional groups. The conquest of the Iberian Peninsula took over a century, culminating in the defeat of the Celtiberians by 133 BCE.
• During this period, Galicia, located in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula, was inhabited by various Celtic tribes, including the Gallaeci and Astures, who had a distinct Celtic culture. Despite their resistance to Roman rule, the Gallaeci were eventually absorbed into Roman control.

The Romanization of Galicia (Late 1st Century BCE – Early 1st Century CE):

• Roman Military and Settlements: As the Roman Empire expanded its control over the Iberian Peninsula, Galicia was gradually brought into the fold. Roman military infrastructure was built across the region, with Roman roads, fortified settlements, and towns established. The city of Bracara Augusta (modern Braga) in the Gallaecia region became the administrative centre of Roman governance in the area.
• Roman Provincial Organization: By the early 1st century CE, the Romans formally divided the Iberian Peninsula into several provinces, and Galicia became part of the Lusitania province (which included much of modern Portugal) and Tarraconensis, with Bracara Augusta as a key city. The Romans were particularly interested in Galicia for its strategic location, mineral wealth, and access to the Atlantic.
• Roman Influence: While the Romans initially encountered resistance, over time they established Roman towns, temples, and fortifications in the region. They also introduced Roman infrastructure, including aqueducts, roads, and public buildings.

The Conquest of the Gallaeci and Resistance (1st Century CE):

• Resistance to Roman Rule: The Gallaeci, the Celtic tribes of Galicia, resisted Roman rule fiercely. Roman commanders such as Decimus Junius Brutus Callaicus launched military campaigns to subdue the Gallaeci and their northern neighbours in the Asturias region.
• The Battle of the Douro (137 BCE): In 137 BCE, the Gallaeci successfully resisted a Roman invasion at the Battle of the Douro. This early resistance, while ultimately unsuccessful, delayed Roman occupation in the region for several decades.
• Roman Military Presence: By 19 BCE, the Romans, under the leadership of Emperor Augustus, had effectively crushed the Gallaeci’s main military resistance. Roman forces continued to build military roads, establishing a network of military posts and fortifications that ensured control over Galicia.

Romanized Galicia (1st – 3rd Century CE):

• Roman Influence: After the defeat of the Gallaeci, Romanization of the region accelerated. The Romans introduced their laws, culture, and economic systems. Roman coins were minted in Bracara Augusta, and the town became the hub of Roman influence in the region.
• Cultural Integration: The Gallaeci gradually adopted Roman customs, including Roman architecture and language. However, their Celtic identity remained strong, and they maintained many of their traditional practices alongside Roman ways. It is clear that Galician culture during this period was a blend of Celtic and Roman influences.
• Christianity: By the 3rd century CE, early Christianity began to spread in Galicia, as it did in many other parts of the Roman Empire. Christian communities began to form in urban centres like Bracara Augusta.

The Decline of Roman Power and the Fall of Galicia (4th – 5th Century CE):

• Late Roman Empire: By the 4th century CE, the Roman Empire was in decline, facing external invasions and internal instability. The Visigoths began to move into the Iberian Peninsula, eventually leading to the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE.
• Galicia’s Transition: As the Roman Empire crumbled, the Visigoths took control of the Iberian Peninsula. Galicia fell under the rule of the Visigothic Kingdom, and the region began a period of transition from Roman rule to early medieval governance.

Key Roman Sites and Influence in Galicia

• Bracara Augusta: This city was the capital of Roman Gallaecia and remains one of the most significant Roman towns in the region. The site includes Roman temples, forum, and public buildings, many of which are still visible today.
• Aquis Querquennis: A Roman fort located in the Galician mountains, Aquis Querquennis is significant for its well-preserved remains. The site provides insight into Roman military architecture and the Roman presence in the northernmost reaches of the Empire.
• Roman Roads: The Roman road network that passed through Galicia connected Bracara Augusta with other parts of the Empire. These roads were vital for both military control and trade, linking Galicia with Lusitania (modern-day Portugal) and the rest of Roman Spain.

Conclusion: Roman Galicia and its Lasting Legacy

The Romans had a profound impact on Galicia, introducing urbanization, Roman architecture, and economic systems that shaped the region for centuries. Despite initial resistance, the Gallaeci were integrated into the Roman world, and their culture adapted, though their Celtic identity remained strong. The Roman capital of Bracara Augusta and key sites like Aquis Querquennis stand as lasting reminders of the Roman presence in Galicia. The Roman period in Galicia laid the groundwork for the region’s subsequent history and cultural development.