Roman Spain

In Roman Spain, Leonard Curchin examines the history of the Iberian Peninsula under Roman rule. The book is a chronicle of Rome's conquest of Hispania and its eventual assimilation of Roman language, culture, commerce, and government. The book begins by describing in detail the conquest of Hispania. It does clarify from the onset that Roman Spain is the land, which the Romans called Spain (Hispania), encompassing Spain, and modern day Portugal. It introduces you to the area from a starting point of Tartesos and the Phoenician merchants who established a series of trading and production centers on coastal sites of Cadiz, Toscanos, and Granada.

The book identifies the siege of the city of Saguntum by Hannibal as the trigger for the start of the Second Punic War. With victory, Rome creates a Spanish province by 206 BC. They divided the territory into provinces one called Hispania Citerior (Closer Spain) on the north and Hispania Ulterior (Farther Spain) on the south. The territory is still with conflict and Rome remains and challenges the uprisings with force. The Lusitanian, Numantine, and Cantabarian wars are covered in detail. There are many Roman figures mentioned from Pompey, Scipio Aemilianus, Brutus, to Gaius Marius and Augustus.

From conquest to assimilation, the book details not only acculturation but also Romanisation as it is spelled in the book. It explains the provincial organizations and Rome as a republic by means of "The machinery of control" (pg 57). The facts of tribute and local control of governments are introduced along with the establishment of a peacekeeping force and construction of bases. As the author progresses we are introduced to the social status and social relations prevalent in society at the time of the occupation. It clearly defines the differences of status and privilege in Roman Spain. We see distinction with citizens as well as slaves, former slaves, and the indigent. The Aristocrats of Rome are discussed in great length. Great care is also taken to explain the transportation and trade routes, which made Hispania a sought after territory as well as the production and exchange of goods in Roman Spain. One cannot overlook the author's detailed explanation of religion in Roman Spain. The area is identified as having been tolerant to many forms of religion. It even describes Spain as having "more gods then Rome" pg154. It declares that by the end of the third century there are innumerable Christians in Spain. It covers