Iberians

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Jump to: navigation, search
The Lady of Baza, made by Iberians or Celtiberians
Enlarge
The Lady of Baza, made by Iberians or Celtiberians

The Iberians arrived in Spain sometime in the third millennium B.C., although their arrival has been dated as early as 4,000 B.C. Most scholars believe the Iberians came from somewhere farther east in the Mediterranean, although some have suggested that they originated in North Africa while others believe the Iberians were a culture that developed out of native groups. The Iberians first settled along the eastern coast of Spain, and possibly spread throughout the rest of the Iberian Peninsula later on. The Iberians lived in isolated communities structured as tribes. They also had a knowledge of metal working, including bronze, and agricultural techniques. In later years, the Iberians evolved into a more complex civilization with urbanized communities and social stratification. They traded metals with the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Carthaginians.

Greek colonists made the first historical reference to the Iberians in the 6th century B.C. The Iberians most likely made contact with other cultures long before this, however. The Phoenicians established their first colony on the Iberian Peninsula in 1,100 B.C. and probably made contact with Iberians then or shortly thereafter. The Iberians learned writing from the Phoenicians and developed a system for recording their own language. Later, the Iberians incorporated elements of the Greek alphabet into their writing system.

The Celts arrived in Spain in two waves in the early first millennium B.C. The Celtic culture dominated the Northern and Western Spain while the Iberians held the South. In the center, Celtic and Iberian culture mixed to produce the Celtiberians. This group, which fused both cultures, spread to the Eastern coast of Spain.

Approximate location of Ibero (Iberian) settlement
Enlarge
Approximate location of Ibero (Iberian) settlement

The Iberians and the Celtiberians traded extensively with other Mediterranean cultures. Iberian pottery has been found in France, Italy, and North Africa. The Iberians also had extensive contact with Greek colonists who shared their cultural knowledge. The Iberians may have adopted some of the Greek's artistic skill. Statues such as the Lady of Baza (right) and the Lady of Elx are thought to have been made by Iberians relatively well studied in art.

The Iberians and Celtiberians were placed under Carthaginian rule for a short time between the Second and Third Punic Wars. Both groups supplied troops to Hannibal's army. The Romans subsequently conquered the Iberian Peninsula and slowly repressed the local culture and language.

Personal tools