Viriathus : and the Lusitanian Resistance to Rome 155-139 BC

In the middle years of the second century BC, Rome was engaged in the conquest and pacification of what is now Spain and Portugal. They met with determined resistance from several tribes but nobody defied them with more determination and skill than Viriathus. Apparently of humble birth, he emerged as a leader after the treacherous massacre of the existing tribal chieftains and soon proved himself a gifted and audacious commander. Relying on hit and run guerrilla tactics, he inflicted repeated humiliating reverses upon the theoretically superior Roman forces, uniting a number of tribes in resistance to the invader and stalling their efforts at conquest and pacification for eight years. Still unbeaten in the field, he was only overcome when the Romans resorted to bribing some of his own men to assassinate him (though they reneged on the agreed payment, claiming they did not reward traitors!). Though renowned in his day Viriathus has been neglected by modern historians, a travesty that Luis Silva puts right in this thoroughly researched and accessible account. Portuguese by birth, the author draws on Portuguese research and perspectives that will be refreshing to English-language scholars and his own military experience also informs his analysis of events. What emerges is a stirring account of defiance, heroic resistance against the odds and, ultimately, treachery and tragedy. [Elib] This fascinating biography sheds light on the important yet overlooked military leader who thwarted Rome in what is now Spain and Portugal. In the second century BC, as Rome engaged in the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula, they met with determined resistance from the Lusitanian people and their skilled leader, Viriathus. Though renowned in his day Viriathus has been neglected by modern historians, a travesty that Luis Silva puts right in this thoroughly researched and accessible biography. Apparently of humble birth, Viriathus rose to prominence after the treacherous massacre of the existing tribal chieftains and soon proved himself a gifted and audacious commander. Relying on hit and run guerrilla tactics, he inflicted humiliating reverses on the Roman forces, uniting a number of tribes in resistance to the invader and stalling their imperial efforts for eight years. Still unbeaten in the field, he was only overcome when the Romans resorted to bribing some of his own men to assassinate him. Chapter 1 Hispania at the End of the 14 Chapter 2 First Celtiberian War 50 Chapter 3 Lusitanian Warfare and Weapons 70 Chapter 4 Viriathus the Man 100 Chapter 5 The Lusitanian War with Rome Begins 120 Chapter 6 The Viriathan War (The Second Lusitanian War) 138 Chapter 7 The End of the Viriathan War 168 Chapter 8 Campaigns of Lusitanian Pacification 180 Chapter 9 The Romanization of Lusitania 196 Chapter 10 Viriathus the King and the Legend 226 Notes and References 250 Index 320 In The Middle Years Of The Second Century Bc, Rome Was Engaged In The Conquest And Pacification Of What Is Now Spain And Portugal. They Met With Determined Resistance From Several Tribes But Nobody Defied Them With More Determination And Skill Than Viriathus. Luis Silva. Includes Bibliographical References (pages [249]-319) And Index.