Celtiberialaiset

Celtiberialaiset refers to the ancient Celtic peoples who inhabited the Iberian Peninsula, specifically the central and northeastern regions. They were a composite group, formed by the fusion of indigenous Iberian populations with Celtic tribes who migrated into the area from the 6th century BCE onwards. This cultural blending resulted in a unique civilization with distinct language, customs, and social structures.

The Celtiberians were known for their martial prowess and tribal organization. They lived in fortified settlements called castros, often strategically located on hilltops. Their economy was primarily based on agriculture, livestock, and mining, with iron ore being particularly important. They developed sophisticated metalworking techniques, producing weapons and tools of high quality.

Their language, Celtiberian, was a Celtic language written in a modified Iberian script. Linguistic evidence suggests it belonged to the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. Celtiberian culture flourished during the Iron Age and was significantly influenced by contact with the Mediterranean civilizations, particularly the Romans and Carthaginians.

The Celtiberians played a notable role in the Punic Wars, often serving as mercenaries for both Rome and Carthage. Their fierce resistance to Roman expansion led to prolonged conflicts, most famously the Numantine Wars. Despite their eventual subjugation by the Roman Republic in the 2nd century BCE, the Celtiberian culture left a lasting imprint on the Iberian Peninsula, contributing to the ethnolinguistic landscape of modern Spain and Portugal.