First Celtiberian War facts for kids

The First Celtiberian War (181–179 BC) was the first of three big fights between the Celtiberians and the Romans in a land they called Hispania. Hispania is what we now call the Iberian Peninsula, which includes modern-day Spain and Portugal. The Celtiberians were a group of five tribes living in the middle of Hispania. They were fighting back against the Romans, who were taking over more and more land.

The Romans had taken control of southern Hispania after beating the Carthaginians in the Second Punic War (218–201 BC). After that war, the Romans stayed. In 197 BC, they set up two Roman areas: Hispania Citerior (Nearer Spain) along the east coast and Hispania Ulterior (Further Spain) in the south. Many local tribes in Hispania often rebelled against the Romans for nearly 100 years. The First Celtiberian War was one of these important rebellions.

The First Celtiberian War (181–179 BC)

Early Battles and Roman Strategy

In 182 BC, two Roman leaders, Publius Manlius and Quintus Fulvius Flaccus, were put in charge of the Roman armies in Hispania. They got more soldiers, including 3,000 Roman and 6,000 allied foot soldiers, plus cavalry. The Celtiberians gathered a huge army of 35,000 men, which was one of their biggest forces ever.

Quintus Fulvius Flaccus led his army to a place called Carpetania. He set up camp near a town called Aebura. He sent a small group of soldiers to take over Aebura first. A few days later, the Celtiberians camped nearby. For several days, both sides watched each other, but no big battle happened.

Then, Flaccus came up with a clever plan. He sent a group of soldiers, led by Lucius Acilius, to sneak around a hill and attack the Celtiberian camp from behind. They marched at night so they wouldn't be seen. At dawn, a small group of Roman cavalry rode towards the Celtiberian camp to distract them. The Celtiberians chased them, moving away from their own camp.

While the Celtiberians were distracted, Lucius Acilius's men attacked their camp, which was only guarded by about 5,000 soldiers. The Roman allies quickly captured the camp and set it on fire. When the Celtiberians saw their camp burning, they became confused. Flaccus then attacked them with his main army. The Celtiberians were caught between Flaccus's army and Acilius's men who had taken their camp. They were defeated, losing 23,000 men, and 4,700 were captured. The Romans also took Aebura.

Flaccus's Victories and Gracchus's Arrival

After this big win, Quintus Fulvius Flaccus marched to another Celtiberian town called Contrebia. The people of Contrebia asked for help from other Celtiberians, but heavy winter rains and floods stopped them. The town surrendered to Flaccus. When the rain stopped, the Celtiberians who were supposed to help Contrebia finally arrived. They didn't know the city had surrendered and approached without caution. The Romans suddenly attacked them from the city gates, defeating them. About 12,000 Celtiberians died, and 5,000 were captured. Flaccus continued to march through Celtiberian lands, attacking forts until many tribes surrendered.

In 180 BC, Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus was sent from Rome to take over the war in Hispania Citerior. Messengers arrived in Rome saying the Celtiberians had surrendered and that the Roman army in Hispania could support itself. They asked for Flaccus to bring his soldiers home. Gracchus didn't want to lose the experienced soldiers. A deal was made: Gracchus would get new soldiers, and Flaccus could send home the oldest veterans.

Before Gracchus arrived, Flaccus launched one more campaign against Celtiberians who hadn't surrendered. The Celtiberians secretly planned to trap him in a narrow mountain pass called the Manlian Pass. However, Flaccus was told that Gracchus was arriving and he should bring his army to Tarraco. Flaccus left Celtiberia, but the Celtiberians thought he was running away and still set their trap. When the Romans entered the pass, they were attacked from both sides. It was a fierce battle. The Romans fought hard, and their cavalry charged, breaking the Celtiberian lines. The Celtiberians were defeated, losing 17,000 men. Flaccus then went to Tarraco to meet Gracchus.

Gracchus's Peace-Making Campaigns (179 BC)

In 179 BC, Tiberius Gracchus continued the war. He was known for being a smart leader who also tried to make peace. He first captured the city of Munda by surprise at night. He took important people as hostages and left soldiers to guard the city.

Next, he went to a strong Celtiberian town called Certima. The town leaders came to talk to him. They asked for permission to go to a Celtiberian army camp at Alce to ask for help. Gracchus let them go. When they returned, they seemed a bit strange, asking for drinks and then asking Gracchus what he relied on to attack them. Gracchus showed them his entire army marching in review. The Celtiberian envoys were so impressed that they told their people not to fight. Certima surrendered, and its people had to give young nobles to serve in the Roman army as a sign of loyalty.

After Certima, Gracchus went to Alce, where the Celtiberian army camp was. He tried to trick the Celtiberians into attacking. He sent out small groups of soldiers who would pretend to run away. When the Celtiberians chased them in a messy way, the main Roman army suddenly attacked from their camp. The Celtiberians were surprised and defeated, losing 9,000 men. Gracchus then marched deeper into Celtiberia, and 103 towns surrendered in just a few days.

He then besieged Alce itself. The town fought back at first, but when the Romans brought their siege machines, the people surrendered. Gracchus captured many important Celtiberian nobles, including the children of Thurru, a powerful Celtiberian chief. Thurru asked Gracchus if he and his family could live and if he could serve the Romans. Gracchus agreed, and Thurru became a loyal helper to the Romans.

Another powerful Celtiberian city, Ergavica, saw what was happening and opened its gates to the Romans. Some historical records say that Gracchus also won a huge battle near a mountain called Mons Chaunus, which ended the war for good.

Gracchus also helped a Roman ally city called Caravis, which was being attacked by 20,000 Celtiberians. He sent a cavalry commander to sneak into the city and tell the people that help was coming. Three days later, Gracchus attacked the besiegers, and they ran away. He also captured another town called Complega by tricking its people.

Building Peace and Roman Influence

Tiberius Gracchus was not just a military leader; he was also good at making peace. He founded a new Roman settlement called Gracchurris (modern-day Alfaro) in northern Hispania. This was an important step in spreading Roman influence. He also founded another settlement, Iliturgi, which was a mining town.

Gracchus made special agreements, called treaties, with the local tribes. These treaties were very important for keeping peace for the next 25 years. He made sure that the Romans collected taxes fairly, by taking 5% of the grain harvest. This was better than the old system, which often led to problems. His treaties also said that the local allies had to provide soldiers for the Roman army. They could strengthen their existing towns but couldn't build new ones. Gracchus also helped with things like mining rights and building roads.

Because of Gracchus's smart leadership and fair agreements, Hispania remained mostly peaceful for a long time. This peace lasted until new wars, like the Lusitanian War and the Second Celtiberian War, broke out later.