Tautalus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tautalus
|
|
|---|---|
| Native name |
Tautalus, Tantalus, Tautamus
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| Born | Lusitania |
| Allegiance | Lusitania |
| Years of service | 139 BC |
| Battles/wars | Lusitanian War |
Tautalus was a brave leader of the Lusitanians. They were an ancient tribe from what is now western Spain and Portugal. He became their chief in 139 BC. This was during the last year of the Lusitanian War. He took over after their famous leader, Viriathus, died.
Contents
Who Was Tautalus?
Tautalus became a leader after Viriathus was killed. Viriathus was a very skilled military commander. Tautalus's time as chief was short. He did not have the same tactical skills as Viriathus.
Tautalus's Military Actions
Tautalus led the remaining Lusitanian army. They marched towards the city of Saguntum. This city was in a Roman area called Hispania Citerior. The Lusitanians tried to capture Saguntum. However, their attack was not successful. The city's defenders pushed them back.
After this defeat, Tautalus and his forces moved on. They went towards another Roman area, Hispania Ulterior. They traveled along the Betis river. There, a Roman general named Quintus Servilius Caepio met them. Caepio had a much larger army.
The Lusitanians Surrender
Tautalus and the Lusitanians were defeated by Caepio. They had to give up their weapons. Caepio then signed a peace treaty with Tautalus. As part of the agreement, the Lusitanians were given land. This was so they would stop fighting the Romans.
Later, another Roman leader, Decimus Junius Brutus, helped settle them. They were settled in a new colony called Valentia. This place might be modern Valença do Minho or Valencia de Alcántara. It could also be the city of Valencia in Spain.
What Does the Name Tautalus Mean?
The name Tautalus comes from ancient writings. It is believed to come from old Celtic or Germanic words. The root word teu means "people."
However, there is some discussion about the name. The ancient writer Appian recorded it as Tautalus. Some wonder if he meant Tantalus. Tantalus is a name from Greek stories. Another writer, Diodorus, wrote the name as Tautamus or Tantamus.
See also
In Spanish: Táutalo para niños
- Viriathus
- Audax, Ditalcus and Minurus
- Lusitanian War
