First Celtiberian War

Quick Facts: Who was First Celtiberian War?

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First Celtiberian War

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Major anti-Roman revolt by the Celtiberian confederation in Hispania, 181–179 BC.

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Origins & Early Life

The First Celtiberian War (181–179 BC) was the first of three major rebellions by the Celtiberians against the Roman presence in Hispania. The other two were the Second Celtiberian War (154–151 BC) and the Numantine War (143–133 BC). Hispania was the name the Romans gave to the Iberian Peninsula. The peninsula was inhabited by various ethnic groups and numerous tribes. The Celtiberians were a confederation of five tribes, which lived in a large area of east central Hispania, to the west of Hispania Citerior.

Career & Major Achievements

The eastern part of their territory shared a stretch of the border of this Roman province. The Celtiberian tribes were the Pellendones, the Arevaci, the Lusones, the Titti and the Belli. The Romans took over the territories of the Carthaginians in southern Hispania when they defeated them at the Battle of Ilipa in 206 BC during the Second Punic War (218–201 BC). After the war they remained and in 197 BC they established two Roman colonies: Hispania Citerior (Nearer Spain) along most of the east coast, an area roughly corresponding to the modern autonomous communities of Aragon, Catalonia and Valencia, and Hispania Ulterior (Further Spain) in the south, roughly corresponding to modern Andalusia. There were numerous rebellions by many tribes of Hispania, including tribes both inside and outside Roman territory, in most years for a period of 98 years, until the end of the First Celtiberian War in 179 BC.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

For details of these rebellions see the Roman conquest of Hispania article. The praetors Publius Manlius and Quintus Fulvius Flaccus were given military command for Hispania Ulterior and Citerior respectively in 182 BC and this was extended to 181 BC. They received reinforcements of 3,000 Roman and 6,000 allied infantry and 200 Roman and 300 allied cavalry. The Celtiberians gathered 35,000 men. Livy wrote: ‘hardly ever before had they raised so large a force’.

Notable Quotes by First Celtiberian War

“hardly ever before had they raised so large a force”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: First Celtiberian War

True or False: “The First Celtiberian War was the only major rebellion waged by the Celtiberians against Roman rule in Hispania.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The Celtiberians also engaged in the Second Celtiberian War (154–151 BC) and were involved in other conflicts.

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