Turduli Oppidani facts for kids
The Turduli Oppidani were an ancient group of people who lived in what is now Portugal a long time ago, even before the Romans arrived. Their name means "strongholds of the Turduli" in Latin. They were related to another group called the Turduli Veteres and were similar to the Lusitanians. They lived along the coast.
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Where Did the Turduli Oppidani Live?
The Turduli Oppidani lived in the central coastal part of Portugal. This area is known today as Estremadura and Beira Litoral Province. They built many fortified towns, which were called Oppida.
Some of their important towns included:
- Aeminium (which is now Coimbra)
- Conimbriga (near Coimbra)
- Collipo (in Batalha)
- Eburobrittium (in Óbidos)
- Ierabriga (in Alenquer)
These towns were like strong forts, protecting their communities.
The History of the Turduli Oppidani
The Turduli Oppidani were a branch of the larger Turduli people. Around 500 BC, they traveled north. They moved together with another group called the Celtici. Eventually, they settled in the central coastal region of Portugal.
Alliances and Conflicts
Over time, the Turduli Oppidani became allies of the Lusitani. This happened before the middle of the 3rd century BC. Later, they also allied with Carthage towards the end of that century. Carthage was a powerful city that fought against Rome.
After the Second Punic War, their history is less clear. It is very likely that the Lusitani continued to be their main leaders. The Turduli Oppidani faced many of the first attacks from the Romans. The Romans were trying to expand their control into the Iberian Peninsula.
Facing the Roman Empire
In 138-136 BC, a Roman leader named Decimus Junius Brutus Callaicus attacked their lands. He did this because the Turduli Oppidani had helped the Lusitani.
The Turduli Oppidani were eventually defeated by the Romans. In 93 BC, a Roman official named Publius Licinius Crassus led a campaign. He fought against the Lusitani and Celtici. After this, the Turduli Oppidani were officially included in the Roman province of Hispania Ulterior.
Later, in 61-60 BC, the Turduli Oppidani and the Turduli Veteres faced similar events. The famous Roman leader Julius Caesar was in charge then. He also made sure they were fully part of Hispania Ulterior.
Becoming Part of the Roman World
Much later, between 27 and 13 BC, the Roman Emperor Augustus made changes. He created a new province called Lusitania. The Turduli Oppidani were then included in this new Roman province. This meant they became part of the larger Roman Empire.
See also
- Bardili (Turduli)
- Cynetes
- Turduli
- Turduli Veteres
- Calaicians or Gallaeci
- Pre-Roman peoples of the Iberian Peninsula
