Historia de España. La raíces. Hispania prerromana y Romana. Visigodos.

History of Spain: From Prehistory to the Fall of the Visigoths

Overview of Prehistory in Spain

• The discussion begins with an introduction to Spanish history, covering from prehistory to the fall of the Visigoths.

• Prehistory is divided into three phases: Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Metal Ages. The Paleolithic era is characterized by the use of stone tools and a nomadic lifestyle focused on hunting and gathering.

Phases of the Paleolithic Era

• The Paleolithic period is further categorized into three stages:

• Lower Paleolithic (1,000,000 BC): Dominated by Homo erectus; remains found include Homo habilis and Homo antecessor in Atapuerca.

• Middle Paleolithic (100,000 - 30,000 BC): Characterized by Homo sapiens neanderthalensis; more stable housing and early funeral rites emerge.

• Upper Paleolithic (30,000 - 8,000 BC): Marked by Homo sapiens sapiens (Cro-Magnon); development of cave art with naturalistic themes.

Transition to Neolithic Age

• The Neolithic period signifies a shift to polished stone tools and agricultural practices. Key developments include:

• Introduction of agriculture and animal husbandry.

• Discovery of pottery and textiles.

• Emergence of permanent settlements between 5000 and 3000 BC.

Artistic Developments in Neolithic Age

• Rock art from this period includes schematic representations related to hunting and rituals. Notable sites feature paintings in both cold climate shelters and warm caves.

Advancements in Metal Ages

• Around 3000 BC, significant changes occur with metal usage:

• Copper becomes prominent alongside advancements in irrigation agriculture.

• Establishment of sedentary populations marked by megalithic structures like dolmens.

Bronze Age Developments

• In the Bronze Age (2000 BC), bronze—a mix of copper and tin—becomes prevalent. This era sees:

• Increased social hierarchy evidenced through burial practices.

Iron Age Invasions

• Starting around 1200 BC, invasions from Celtic Indo-Europeans lead to cultural shifts:

• Introduction of iron technology becomes widespread by around 500 BC.

• Development of urn fields for cremation burials reflects changing funerary customs.

Preroman Societies in Iberia

• Various preroman groups inhabit Iberia before Roman arrival:

• Tartessos: A culture known for economic wealth through trade with Phoenicians; notable for its aristocracy controlling resources like gold and silver.

• Iberians: Southern/eastern tribes influenced heavily by colonizers; economy based on agriculture with urban centers emerging.

Cultural Influences Among Preroman Groups

• Central Iberian tribes exhibit less external influence but show strong Celtic characteristics. Social structure revolves around tribal organization with emerging hierarchies among elites.

Celtic and Iberian Cultures

Overview of Celtic and Iberian Societies

• The closest peoples to the Iberian area are the Celtiberians, including groups like the Arévacos, Blusones, and Pendones. They coexisted with Lusitanians and Vacceans, who were primarily engaged in agriculture and livestock.

• The Celts, also known as Galaicos or Asturians, were rural communities focused on maintaining their society through agriculture, livestock farming, gathering, or fishing. Their culture included fortified settlements called "castros."

Colonization Influences

• In the first millennium BC, more advanced Eastern Mediterranean peoples arrived in the Iberian Peninsula for economic interests. These colonizers significantly impacted local cultures.

• Phoenicians were among the first to arrive around 900 BC; they founded Gades (Cádiz) between 800-775 BC and sought resources like metals from Huelva.

Greek Colonization

• Greek colonization began in the 6th century BC along Mediterranean coasts. Key colonies included Ampurias (575 BC), Rosas in Catalonia, and Mainake in Málaga. Their primary economic activity was trade with Tartessos.

Carthaginian Influence

• Carthaginians inherited Phoenician commercial activities after establishing a strong presence in Western Mediterranean trade from Ibiza and other Balearic Islands.

Roman Conquest of the Iberian Peninsula

Initial Roman Expansion

• The Roman conquest began during the Second Punic War (218–201 BC), leading to military campaigns that lasted nearly 200 years across various regions of the peninsula.

• Notable campaigns included Cato's campaign against tribal uprisings (195 BC), Celtiberian-Lusitan wars culminating in Numantia's siege, and Asturian wars led by Emperor Augustus.

Cultural Assimilation: Romanization

• After military conquests, Romans initiated cultural assimilation through a process called Romanization which was more effective in areas like Levante and Andalucía due to their social structures resembling Roman ones.

Mechanisms of Roman Influence

• Various methods facilitated this cultural shift: using military forces as agents of civilization diffusion; founding colonies with Italian immigrants; promoting urban lifestyles; imposing Latin as an official language; introducing Roman law systems; and integrating religious practices including worship of Roman deities.

Economic Changes Under Rome

• Spain transitioned into a monetized economy characterized by slavery and colonialism. Significant public works emerged such as roads (e.g., Via Augusta), bridges (e.g., Alcántara Bridge), aqueducts (e.g., Segovia Aqueduct), walls (Tarragona or Lugo), theaters (Mérida Theater), contributing to urban development.

Contributions from Hispania

• Hispania produced notable figures such as Emperors Trajan and Theodosius within its rich historical context shaped by these influences.

Visigothic Kingdom: Origins and Political Structure

Historical Context of the Visigoths

• The Visigoths, alongside notable figures like Seneca, Lucan, Martial, Mela, and Columella, played a significant role in the history of the Iberian Peninsula during the 5th century.

• They were a Romanized Germanic tribe that migrated from the Danube region towards Italy, threatening Rome. An alliance was formed where they received land in Gaul and Hispania in exchange for military support against invaders.

Establishment of the Visigothic Kingdom

• Following the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD, the Visigoths established their own kingdom first in southern Gaul (Toledo), later moving to Hispania after being defeated by the Franks at the Battle of Vouillé in 507 AD.

• Initially imposing dominance over Hispanic Romans, they later pursued unification efforts under King Leovigildo (territorial), King Reccaredo (religious), and King Recesvinto (legislative).

Political Organization

• The most important institution was an assembly of nobles that elected a king; this monarchy was initially elective but became hereditary under some rulers like Leovigildo.

• Key institutions included:

• Aula Regia: Royal council advising the king.

• Comes: Officials managing royal treasury.

• Dux: Delegates representing royal authority in provinces.

Legislative Developments

• Councils comprised nobles and clergy made legislative decisions; notably, the Third Council of Toledo in 589 AD saw Reccaredo convert all to Catholicism.

Cultural Legacy

• The Visigoths adopted Latin Christian traditions while transitioning to a rural society as urban centers declined. Notable cultural contributions include Isidore of Seville's "Etymologies," which aimed to preserve Roman heritage amidst societal changes.