⊛ Iberians – Resumenea

The history of the Iberian Peninsula is marked by the presence of various peoples and cultures, but, among all of them, one stands out for its uniqueness and legacy: the Iberians. The culture of the Iberians, a pre-Roman civilization that It developed between the 7th century and the 1st century BC, presents us with a fascinating mosaic of customs, rituals, art and social organization that speak of a people with a strong and distinctive identity. In the following sections, we will delve into the characteristics of the Iberians, from their origins to their disappearance, through their art, their economy, their beliefs and their interaction with other cultures.

Introduction to the Iberians

Origins and etymology of the term “Iberian”

Origin of the Iberian civilization:

Determine

Exactly who the Iberians were and where they came from is no easy task. The fact of not having written documents or other more specific sources produces a lack of accuracy and coincidence between historians and archaeologists. Something that we will see how it also happens in other sections about its development as a pre-Roman people.

In any case, there are some hypotheses that have been gaining strength: One theory maintains that they were the result of the local and gradual evolution of the cultures existing in the Iberian Peninsula during the Bronze Age. others suggest that they may have migrated to the Iberian Peninsula from Africa or the eastern Mediterranean and some argue that they are descendants of the present-day Basques or the Celts.

Etymology of the term “Iberian”:

In the network of cultures that make up the history of humanity, that of the Iberians is one of the most enigmatic, starting with its own name:

We often come across the term “Iberian” without really questioning its origin. The etymology of “Iberian” comes from the Ebro River, which the ancient Greeks called “Íberus.” The people who lived near this river were known as “Iberians” by the Greeks, and that is the name that has survived to this day.

Period of existence of the Iberians (7th centuries BC – 1st AD)

The time of the Iberians extends from the 7th century BC to the 1st century AD, an extensive period that allows us to understand the longevity and resistance of these people. It is important to remember that the Romanization process, which began in the 2nd century BC, did not result in the instant disappearance of Iberian culture.

The Romanization of the Iberians:

The Romanization of the Iberians was a long-term process, from the 3rd century BC to the 1st century AD, beginning with the Second Punic War. Despite initial resistance, the influence of Rome gradually prevailed, leading the Iberians to adopt Roman culture, language, laws and customs. This process was not uniform and had Roman cities and colonies as key centers of Romanization; for example: Tarraco (The present-day city of Tarragona, located in the autonomous community of Catalonia, in northeastern Spain), Emerita Augusta (the present-day city of Mérida, located in the autonomous community of Extremadura, in southwestern Spain) and Italica (the capital of the province of Lusitania during the Roman period). Although many Roman customs were adopted, the Iberians retained elements of their own culture. The influence of Romanization is still visible today in the Iberian Peninsula, in aspects such as architecture, language, laws and customs.

Territories occupied by the Iberians

The Iberians occupied what we know today as most of eastern and southern Spain, reaching as far as southern France and Andalusia. In fact, the name of the Iberian Peninsula comes from these ancient inhabitants. However, the Iberian presence was not homogeneous and its cultural manifestations varied considerably from one region to another, which testifies to the diversity of these peoples.

Map of the Iberians

A map of the Iberian Peninsula during the Iberian era would reveal a landscape dotted with fortified settlements, the oppida, which extended along the entire Mediterranean coast, the Ebro valley and the south of the country. The Iberians not only occupied coastal areas, but also the interior, demonstrating great adaptability to different environments and resources. This entire geographical distribution will be explored in detail in the following sections, revealing the intriguing mosaic that formed the Iberian world.

Society and political organization of the Iberians

Social structure

Iberian society was distinguished by having a fairly clear hierarchical structure organized around small family units or clans, each with its leader or boss.

Organizing the different hierarchies in a social pyramid, it would look like this:

At the top were the leaders, who were often Iberian warriors. This warrior nobility played a crucial role in the organization of the tribes and the defense of their territories.

Just below the nobility, we find a class of merchants and artisans, fundamental to the Iberian economy. They were in charge of the production and trade of goods, from ceramics to jewelry and weapons.

At the base of society, we find farmers and herders. These made up the majority of the population and were responsible for the production of food and raw materials. Although they occupied the lowest position in the social hierarchy, their role was vital to the survival and prosperity of the Iberian community.

Social status could be reflected in the wealth of the tombs, where some individuals were buried with a large amount of funerary goods, including weapons for warriors and jewelry for women.

Cities and settlements

To understand how the Iberians lived, it is essential to examine their cities and settlements. The Iberians were experts in the construction of oppida, fortified settlements located in strategic positions, usually in high places. These oppidamore than simple defensive constructions, were authentic urban centers equipped with a complex organization.

Each oppidum It had a system of defensive walls, often reinforced by towers and moats. Within them, the houses were distributed in blocks defined by a network of streets. These homes were normally rectangular in plan and were usually built with a stone plinth and adobe walls. In addition, they housed artisans’ workshops and warehouses to store cereals and other agricultural products, evidencing a prosperous and organized economy.

Political organization of the Iberians

The political organization of the Iberians is a complex topic and often debated among historians due to the lack of Iberian written sources. The information available comes mainly from Greek and Roman sources, as well as archaeology.

In general, it seems that their political organization was based on independent city-states, the oppida which has already been talked about previously. Furthermore, sometimes the Iberians formed confederations or alliances to confront common enemies.

It is important to note that its political structure appears to have evolved over time due to response to outside influences. With contact and pressures from other cultures, such as the Greeks, the Carthaginians, and finally the Romans, the Iberian city-states may have begun to centralize their authority and develop more sophisticated forms of government and administration.

Relations with other peoples (Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans)

The Iberian Peninsula has always been a fusion of cultures and peoples, and the Iberians, despite their relative geographical isolation, benefited from this cultural and commercial exchange.

Some of these cultures are the following:

Phoenicians:

The Phoenicians were one of the first peoples in the Mediterranean to establish contact with the Iberians, founding commercial colonies on the peninsula as early as the 9th century BC These people, originally from present-day Lebanon, were known for their navigation and trade skills, and their influence on the Iberians was significant. The Phoenicians introduced new technologies in metallurgy and ceramics, as well as writing. It is believed that the Iberian writing system may have evolved from models provided by the Phoenicians.

Greeks:

From the 6th century BC, the Greeks established several colonies on the east coast of the Iberian Peninsula, in places such as Empúries and Roses.. This Greek presence had an important impact on Iberian culture. They provided new agricultural methods, introduced the cultivation of vines and olive trees, and promoted the development of ceramics and sculpture. Iberian ceramics, in particular, show clear influences of the Greek style, with black and red figures and mythological scenes.

Carthaginians:

The Carthaginians, originally from the city of Carthage in modern-day Tunisia, settled in the Iberian Peninsula during the 5th and 4th centuries BC, mainly in the south. The Carthaginians formed alliances with some Iberian tribes and recruited many Iberian warriors for their military campaigns. At the same time, there were also conflicts and resistance on the part of the Iberians. The Carthaginian presence increased the militarization of Iberian society and contributed to the consolidation of Iberian culture.

Romans:

Contact with Rome began in the 3rd century BC and marked a turning point for the Iberians. Although initially there was strong resistance, Roman military power and its strategy of forming alliances with certain Iberian tribes led to a gradual process of Romanization. However, this was not a quick or homogeneous process. For several centuries, Iberian traditions and customs coexisted with Roman ones, creating a rich cultural fusion. Romanization not only meant changes in the political and social organization, but also in the economy, religion and art. However, despite Roman domination, Iberian culture left a lasting legacy on the peninsula, which can still be traced today.

Economy and resources of Iberian culture

The economy of the Iberian culture was varied and adaptable, reflecting the diversity of the landscapes and resources available on the Iberian Peninsula. The subsistence of the Iberians depended on a combination of economic activities that included agriculture, livestock, fishing, mining and metallurgy, as well as both internal and external trade. This balance and economic diversity was a crucial factor that contributed to the resistance and durability of Iberian culture throughout the centuries.

Agriculture

Agriculture was a fundamental pillar in the Iberian economy. The Iberians cultivated a wide range of cereals, with a special predominance of barley and wheat, as well…