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Osprey Men at Arms #180
Rome's Enemies (4): Spanish Armies 218-19 BC
The Republican Roman army suffered heavy losses as a result of the 'hit and run' tactics employed by the Hispanics in Ancient Spain. After preparatory chanting, the Celt-Iberians would attack en masse and in apparent disorder. At a pre-arranged signal the warriors would retreat as if defeated. This sequence might be repeated over several days, until finally the Romans lost their discipline and broke formation in pursuit. At this point the Hispanics would quickly mount a counter-attack that would decimate the legions. This volume explores the organisation, tactics, history, arms and armour of Rome's Spanish enemies.
48 pages, Paperback
First published March 26, 1992
40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 30, 2024
ROME'S ENEMIES 4 SPANISH ARMIES is one of the best of this series that I have read lately. As with the books about other tribes, it seems like there were mass migrations from east to west in ancient times. As was the case in those days, sometimes the tribes migrating overran and wiped out existing tribes or else assimilated with them over time. Some of these tribes moved down into what is now the Spanish peninsula. To the Romans, all the land that is now Spain and Portugal was one and the same though divided into two territories, with the boundary running from southwest to northeast.
These Hispanic enemies of Rome had some things in common. Their most prized possessions were their weapons, mainly their swords. Spanish iron was of high quality and purity. The iron was buried in the earth until rust destroyed the weakest part of the metal. Then while forging the blade was beaten cold but not too hard. By doing so the carbon content was extremely low. "The proportions of carbon varied on a harmonic scale and from the wider part of the blade, in such a way that only with difficulty could it be improved by the most modern techniques: the scale was 0.4% in the edges, decreasing through 0.3%. 0.22%, 0.09% and 0.02% to zero." The blade could be bent over a man's head from shoulder to shoulder and spring back to a straight blade, yet it could chop through bone and armor with ease.
The slingers from the Balearic isles were known and recruited throughout the Mediterranean. Their first 'toy' was a sling given to them by their father. A piece of bread was put on a post and when they could knock it off they could eat it. Their slings may have been in three lengths for different ranges. The lead sling bullets were made in molds and could crush metal helmets. According to the author, slings are still used by shepherds in Castille and Estremadura.
Hispanic cavalry was among the best, even better than the Numidians. Their horses were richly decorated and were taught to kneel down and be quiet when ambushes were in the making.
Spain was rich in gold, silver, copper, and iron. Speaking of Roman exploitation, Lentulus removed 43,000 pounds (libra) of silver and 2,450 of gold. Acidinus took 1,200 of silver and 30 of gold. The list goes on and on. I wonder what happened to all that gold that was mined or stolen over the centuries?
During their conquests, unless a conquered people provided manpower for her legions, Roman gave the people a choice. Surrender their weapons and live peacefully or else. 'Or else' sometimes followed the surrender of weapons. It was common for Hispanic warriors to carry poison for a quick death if all hope was lost. I guess they believed the adage "Live free or die."
It was in 153 BC during the preparation for one of the campaigns during the Numantine Wars that the Romans made a decision that still affects us today. The 15th of March was the official start of the new year. To get things rolling before the weather set in, the start of the new year was changed to January 1st.
It took Rome some 200 years of bloody fighting to finally conquer the people of Hispania.
Great book; maps are included.
These Hispanic enemies of Rome had some things in common. Their most prized possessions were their weapons, mainly their swords. Spanish iron was of high quality and purity. The iron was buried in the earth until rust destroyed the weakest part of the metal. Then while forging the blade was beaten cold but not too hard. By doing so the carbon content was extremely low. "The proportions of carbon varied on a harmonic scale and from the wider part of the blade, in such a way that only with difficulty could it be improved by the most modern techniques: the scale was 0.4% in the edges, decreasing through 0.3%. 0.22%, 0.09% and 0.02% to zero." The blade could be bent over a man's head from shoulder to shoulder and spring back to a straight blade, yet it could chop through bone and armor with ease.
The slingers from the Balearic isles were known and recruited throughout the Mediterranean. Their first 'toy' was a sling given to them by their father. A piece of bread was put on a post and when they could knock it off they could eat it. Their slings may have been in three lengths for different ranges. The lead sling bullets were made in molds and could crush metal helmets. According to the author, slings are still used by shepherds in Castille and Estremadura.
Hispanic cavalry was among the best, even better than the Numidians. Their horses were richly decorated and were taught to kneel down and be quiet when ambushes were in the making.
Spain was rich in gold, silver, copper, and iron. Speaking of Roman exploitation, Lentulus removed 43,000 pounds (libra) of silver and 2,450 of gold. Acidinus took 1,200 of silver and 30 of gold. The list goes on and on. I wonder what happened to all that gold that was mined or stolen over the centuries?
During their conquests, unless a conquered people provided manpower for her legions, Roman gave the people a choice. Surrender their weapons and live peacefully or else. 'Or else' sometimes followed the surrender of weapons. It was common for Hispanic warriors to carry poison for a quick death if all hope was lost. I guess they believed the adage "Live free or die."
It was in 153 BC during the preparation for one of the campaigns during the Numantine Wars that the Romans made a decision that still affects us today. The 15th of March was the official start of the new year. To get things rolling before the weather set in, the start of the new year was changed to January 1st.
It took Rome some 200 years of bloody fighting to finally conquer the people of Hispania.
Great book; maps are included.
January 18, 2016
To short to properly expand on the subject.
It spends quite a bit of time in the Lusitanian's campaign (Viriato).
It spends quite a bit of time in the Lusitanian's campaign (Viriato).
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews