The Primitive Era of Spain

The Iberian people, known for their Mediterranean origin, occupied the southeastern region of Spain. Their history remains largely unknown, but they were the first inhabitants of the region for which there's information available.

The Celts, hailing from central Europe, arrived in Spain around 1000 BC, settling in the northern regions. They were known for their tall stature, blonde hair, and distinct culture.

The intermixing of the Iberians and Celts resulted in a new group of people, the Celt-Iberians. These people combined the physical and cultural traits of both groups, creating a unique blend.

The Phoenicians, originating from North Africa and renowned for their seafaring skills and trade, established colonies in southern Spain. They brought significant advancements to the region, introducing writing, currency, and metalworking.

The Greeks, known for their maritime trade and advanced culture, established colonies on Spain's east coast. They made a significant contribution by introducing the cultivation of grapes and olives to the region.

The Carthaginians, from North Africa, entered Spain in the 6th century BC. Initially assisting the Phoenicians in their wars against the Celtiberians, the Carthaginians soon turned against them, conquering their settlements and expanding their control over much of the Peninsula. Ultimately, they faced the Romans

The Celtiberians, fiercely independent and proud, resisted the Carthaginians and later the Romans. Known for their courage, they preferred to die fighting rather than surrendering, as demonstrated in the prolonged battles of Sagunto and Numancia.

The Romans eventually conquered the Carthaginians in the year 202 BC, marking the end of the Punic Wars. They then focused their efforts on conquering the entire Iberian Peninsula, facing resistance from the Celtiberiabns. However, the Romans ultimately prevailed, and their presence in Spain for six centuries had a profound impact on Spanish culture.

The period of time when Christian kingdoms in northern Spain gradually reclaimed territory from the Moors.

The last Visigoth king, defeated by the Moors in the Battle of Guadalete.

A small Visigoth army led by Pelayo, who defeated the Moors in Covadonga and sparked the Reconquista.

The capital of the Moorish empire in Spain, renowned for its learning and academia.

A renowned Christian king of León known for his wisdom and fostering a diverse court of scholars.

The process in Spain where the Roman language, laws, and customs were adopted by the Visigoths.

The period when the Muslims, primarily Moors and Berbers, conquered most of the Iberian Peninsula from the Visigoths.

The arrival of invaders from North Africa that led to the Christian kings uniting to reclaim their land.

A Spanish knight who lived in the 11th century, known for his bravery and military skill against the Moors. He earned the title "El Cid" from the Moors, meaning "lord" in Arabic.

The period of time when Christian kingdoms in Spain fought to reconquer the Iberian Peninsula from Moorish rule. This process lasted for centuries.

The union of Christian Spain that occurred through the marriage of Queen Isabel of Castile and King Ferdinand of Aragon in 1469. This union marked the beginning of a unified Spanish monarchy.

The last Moorish kingdom in Spain, located in Granada. It was conquered by Ferdinand and Isabel in 1492, ending La Reconquista.

The cultural influence of both Central Europe and North Africa on Spain, due to its geographic location.

Cave paintings in Spain depicting prehistoric life, considered a significant archaeological site. Located in Santander.

Ancient people who inhabited the Iberian Peninsula before the arrival of the Romans. They left a significant cultural mark on Spain.

A group of people who have inhabited the Basque Country for centuries, possessing their own distinct language and culture. Their origin and arrival in the Iberian Peninsula remain unknown.

The Lusitanians, led by Viriato, fought against Roman rule in Spain for eight years, from 147 BC to 139 BC, due to Roman exploitation of resources and enslavement of the locals.

Viriato, a Lusitanian leader, successfully resisted Roman rule for eight years, leading his people in numerous victories against Roman generals. His efforts exemplified the resistance against Roman expansion.

After years of conflict, Roman Consul Serviliano signed a peace treaty with Viriato, but the Roman Consul Quinto Servilio Cepión broke the treaty and had Viriato assassinated, ending the resistance.

The Roman conquest of Numancia was a significant event in the Romanization of Spain. The inhabitants of Numancia, a Celt-Iberian city, fiercely resisted Roman rule for years before eventually surrendering in 122 BC.

The Roman Emperor Augustus, in the late 1st century BC, launched a three-pronged attack on the remaining independent parts of Spain, including Asturias, Galicia, and Cantabria, ultimately achieving full Roman control over the peninsula.

The Romans, after securing control over the Iberian Peninsula, influenced Spanish culture and language. This period of Roman rule resulted in significant structural and societal changes in Spain, which still influence modern Spain today.

Emperor Augustus, who ruled from 27 BC to 14 AD, played a pivotal role in solidifying Roman control over Spain, bringing the entire peninsula under Roman rule.

Christianity arrived in Spain in the first century AD, gaining momentum until the Edict of Milan in 313 AD officially legalized Christianity, making it a secure religion in Spain.

During the 11th century, Muslim Spain was divided into smaller kingdoms called taifas, leading to instability and vulnerability to outside forces.

The Almohades, a powerful Islamic dynasty from North Africa, invaded Muslim Spain, taking advantage of the weakness created by the taifas.

In 1212, Christian forces under King Alfonso VIII decisively defeated the Almohades at the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa, marking a turning point in the Reconquista.

After the Battle of Cavadonga, the Asturian monarchy moved its capital to León, signaling a southward expansion of Christian control in Spain.

The Condados of Castilla, initially part of the Leonese kingdom, declared independence in 951, forming their own kingdom.

In 1035, King Fernando I of Castile inherited the kingdom of León after defeating and killing King Bermudo III, unifying Castile and León.

Fernando III, ruler of the unified Castile and León, was a powerful figure who led his troops to victory over the Moors, conquering Córdoba in 1236.

The unification of Aragon and Catalonia was achieved through royal marriages, expanding Christian control in Spain and opening up markets for Catalan merchants.

The period in Spanish history when Christian kingdoms gradually reconquered the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rule, lasting for centuries.

The Arab conquest of the Iberian Peninsula in the 8th century, led by the Umayyad Caliphate, resulted in the establishment of Al-Andalus, a Muslim state in Spain.

The Visigoths were a Germanic tribe that ruled Spain from the 5th to 8th centuries. Their internal conflicts and lack of unity led to the Arab conquest.

The Battle of Covadonga in 718 marked a crucial turning point in the Reconquista. It was a Christian victory under Don Pelayo, who became the first King of Asturias, signifying the start of the Christian resistance against Arab rule.

The Caliphate of Cordova, established by Abd-er Rahman III in 929, was a period of cultural and scientific flourishing under Muslim rule in Spain. It was a center of learning and scholarship, where Christians and Jews were granted religious freedom.

The Reconquista was a long process, spanning over eight centuries, where Christian kingdoms gradually reconquered the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim control. It ended with the fall of Granada in 1492, unifying Spain under Christian rule.

The Christian kings Fernando and Isabel's victory over the last Muslim stronghold in Granada in 1492 marked the end of the Reconquista and completed the unification of Spain under Christian rule.

The Muslim conquest of Spain was rapid, taking only a few months in 711, largely due to the weakened Visigothic kingdom and the internal conflicts among them. This demonstrates the instability and vulnerability of the Visigothic rule.