Numantine War

Quick Facts: Who was Numantine War?

Subject:

Numantine War

Known for:

The final conflict of the Celtiberian Wars, fought between Numantia and the Roman Republic.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Numantine War (from Bellum Numantinum in Appian's Roman History) was the last conflict of the Celtiberian Wars fought by the Romans to subdue those people along the Ebro, in what is now Spain. It was a twenty-year conflict between the Celtiberian tribes of Hispania Citerior and the Roman government. It began in 154 BC as a revolt of the Celtiberians of Numantia on the Douro. The first phase of the war ended in 151, but in 143, war flared up again with a new insurrection in Numantia. The first war was fought contemporaneously with the Lusitanian War in Hispania Ulterior.

Career & Major Achievements

The Lusitanians were subdued by Sulpicius Galba, who betrayed their surrender and executed their leading men, and the Arevaci of Hispania Citerior continued the war and allied with the Lusitanian leader Viriathus. After open war reignited in 143, Rome sent a series of generals to the Iberian peninsula to deal with the Numantines. In that year, Quintus Caecilius Metellus Macedonicus tried and failed to take Numantia by siege, but subjugated all the other tribes of the Arevaci. His successor, Quintus Pompeius, was inept and suffered severe defeats at their hands, so he secretly negotiated a peace with the city abiding by the previous treaty. Yet in 138 BC a new general arrived, Marcus Pompillius Laenas, and when the Numantine envoys came to finish their obligations of the peace treaty, Pompeius disavowed negotiating any such peace.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The matter was referred to the Senate for a judgment. Rome decided to ignore Pompeius' peace and sent Gaius Hostilius Mancinus to continue the war in 136 BC. He assaulted the city and was repulsed several times before being routed and encircled, and so forced to accept a treaty, negotiated by a young Tiberius Gracchus. The Senate did not ratify this treaty either but only sent Mancinus to the Numantines as a prisoner. His successors Lucius Furius Philus and Gaius Calpurnius Piso avoided conflict with the Numantines.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Numantine War

True or False: “Did the initial phase of the Numantine War end in 151 BC, leading to a complete cessation of hostilities?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The first phase ended in 151 BC, but war reignited later in 143 BC with a new insurrection in Numantia.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Numidia — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Ancient Libyan kingdom in North Africa, unified by Masinissa during the Hellenistic period.
• Numismatics — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The study or collection of currency, including coins, tokens, and paper money.
• Nuon Chea — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Cambodian politician and chief ideologist of the Khmer Rouge regime.
• Nur Ahmed Aman — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Learned religious leader and Sultan of Habr Yunis, key figure in the Dervish movement.
• Nur Jahan — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Powerful Mughal Empress, chief consort of Jahangir, who wielded unprecedented political influence.
• Nur Muhammad Taraki — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Afghan communist politician, revolutionary, and founding member of the PDPA.

Frequently Asked Questions about Numantine War