A History of Spain in Antiquity

Long before the Romans conquered Hispania many different ethnic groups lived there for centuries. Archaeological finds tell us about the Phoenicians, the mysterious Tartessians and Turdetani, and about the indigenous Iberians who intermarried with the immigrant Celts. A veritable melting pot, along whose coastlines Greeks and Carthaginians also founded flourishing trading cities. Famous authors like Seneca, Lucan and Martial as well as the emperors Trajan, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius and Theodosius I all came from Hispania.

In this vivid account, Pedro Barceló traces a sweeping arc of history from the earliest indigenous cultures through to Christianisation and Arab rule at the end of late antiquity. An expert guide, he takes us on a journey through the region’s rich history and archaeology, bringing the most important people, places and events of the Iberian Peninsula to life.

• Essential reading for all visitors to Spain

• Rediscover Spain, beyond the beach and the Ballermann

• The little-known west of the Roman Empire