Turboletae Facts for Kids

The Turboletae were an ancient group of people who lived in what is now Spain a very long time ago, even before the powerful Roman Empire took over. They lived in the northwest part of the Teruel province starting around 300 BC. Not much is known about them, which is why they are sometimes called an "obscure" (meaning not well-known) group.

The Iberian Peninsula in the 3rd century BC.

Who Were the Turboletae?
Daily Life and Culture
A History of Conflict
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Who Were the Turboletae?

It's a bit tricky for historians to figure out exactly where the Turboletae came from or what language they spoke. It seems they might have been a mix of different groups, possibly with some Celtic and Illyrian ancestors. Some old writers even mixed them up with other groups like the Turdetani or Turduli.

Daily Life and Culture

The main town of the Turboletae was called Turda, Turba, Turbola, or Turbula. No one knows for sure where this town was located, but some archeologists think it might have been at an Iron Age site called Alto Chácon, near the modern city of Teruel.

Scientists have found other ancient sites in the Teruel area that show the Turboletae shared a lot of their culture with the Celtiberians. They might have even been connected to the Celtiberian writing found at Peñalva de Villastar.

A History of Conflict

The Turboletae were known as a very warlike group. Their name even became a way to describe people who caused trouble! They often bothered their neighbors, especially the Celtiberian groups called the Belli and Titii.

The Siege of Saguntum

For much of the 3rd century BC, the Turboletae also raided towns in southeastern Spain. One important target was the city-state of Saguntum, which belonged to the Edetani people.

The Turboletae became allies of Carthage, a powerful empire at the time. They played a big part in the event that started the Second Punic War. This was the siege of Saguntum in 219-218 BC. The Turboletae helped the Carthaginian army attack the city and take its treasures. Sadly, many people in Saguntum lost their lives during this attack.

Roman Revenge

The Romans and their allies, the Edetani, did not forget what happened at Saguntum. In 212 BC, they invaded the Turboletae's land. They captured the capital city, Turba, and completely destroyed it. The people living there were taken as slaves.

The End of the Turboletae

By 205 BC, the Turboletae were exhausted from fighting. They asked for peace, and the Roman Senate made them pay a huge amount of money to the people who survived in Saguntum.

However, the Turboletae were still angry about the heavy payment and the destruction of their city. This led to another revolt in 196 BC, led by two generals named Budares and Baesadines. But the Roman commander, Quintus Minucius Thermus, who was the Praetor (a high-ranking official) of Hispania Citerior, defeated them in a big battle near the ruins of Turba.

After this defeat, the remaining Turboletae either disappeared or became subjects of Rome. Their lands were divided between the Bastetani and Edetani peoples. This is why the Turboletae are no longer found in historical records after this time.

Turboletae facts for kids

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