Indigetes facts for kids

The Iberian Peninsula in the 3rd century BC.

The Indigetes were an ancient people who lived in the eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula. This area is now mostly Spain. They were part of a larger group called the Iberians, who lived there before the Romans arrived. People think the Indigetes spoke the Iberian language.

Where Did the Indigetes Live?

The Indigetes lived in the very northeast part of the Iberian Peninsula. This region was later called Hispania Tarraconensis by the Romans. Their land stretched from the Gulf of Empúries and Rhoda up into the Pyrenees mountains. It included areas like Empordà, Selva, and maybe even Gironès. Another group, the Ausetani, who were related to the Indigetes, lived nearby.

The Indigetes were split into four main groups or tribes. They had several important towns:

• Indika (we don't know exactly where this was, but it might have been Empúries or Ullastret).
• Empodrae (this was Empúries, a very important trading center for Greeks from Phocaea and Marseilles).
• Rhoda (today known as Roses).
• Juncaria (La Jonquera).
• Cinniana (Cervià).
• Deciana (also near La Jonquera).

Their land had several rivers, including the Clodianus (Fluvià), the Sambrocas (Muga), and the Tichis (Ter). The area around the Gulf of Empúries was known as Juncaris Campus.

What Was Indigetes Culture Like?

The Indigetes made their own coins. These coins had the word undikesken written on them in the northeastern Iberian script. Experts believe this word meant "from the Indigetes" or "from those of undika" in their own language. This shows they had a strong sense of their own identity.

We learn a lot about the Indigetes from archaeological sites. The most important places where we find their ancient remains are:

• Ullastret in Baix Empordà.
• Castell de la Fosca in Palamós, also in Baix Empordà.
• Puig Castellet in Lloret de Mar, in the Selva region.

How Did the Indigetes Interact with Rome?

In 218 BC, the powerful Roman Empire conquered the Indigetes. This happened during the Roman conquest of Hispania, when Rome was expanding its control over the Iberian Peninsula.

A few years later, in 195 BC, the Indigetes tried to fight back and rebelled against Roman rule. However, a Roman leader named Marcus Porcius Cato, who was a consul (a high-ranking official), quickly put down their rebellion. After this, the Indigetes remained under Roman control.

Gallery

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  Wall foundations in Puig Castellet near Lloret

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  Inscribed lead plate from the Ullastret Iberian archaeological site

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  Cistern at the Ullastret site

See also

In Spanish: Indigetes para niños

• Iberians
• Pre-Roman peoples of the Iberian Peninsula