Conflict and Conquest
Consolidation
The arrival of the Roman Empire in the Iberian Peninsula resulted from struggles for dominance in the western Mediterranean with the Carthaginian Empire, located in present-day Tunisia Despite the efforts of Hannibal in leading a force across the Strait of Gibraltar up through Spain and into Italy during the so-called Punic Wars, Carthage succumbed to Rome in 146 BC.
The first signs of Roman colonisation date from around 219 BC, mainly along the coast and principal rivers – delineated by the River Ebro in the north east, marking the boundary with the Roman province of Gaul. The Romans left a rich infrastructure of public works in Spain, most evident at Tarragona and Cartagena (on the east coast), Merida (in the west) and the astounding aqueduct in Segovia; the closest major Roman remains to Madrid. Rome also bequeathed a common language, institutions like the law and municipality and not least Christianity in its later years (i.e., late AD 300). Under Roman occupation, mining, farming, fishing and salting industries were developed on a large scale. Spain’s main exports to Rome were metals, olive oil and grain – plus the Emperors Trajan and Hadrian and the early convert to Christianity St Lawrence, each of Spanish descent.
After considerable resistance from Celtic tribes, in 139 BC the Romans conquered Complutum and Alcala de Henares, both to the east of Madrid. But Madrid never acquired any importance, other than as a crossroads to all points with a small settlement at Carpetania sustained by the River Manzanares. Pressure in the homeland from Germanic peoples (i.e., the Goths, Huns and Vandals) forced Rome to withdraw its forces from its far-flung provinces, almost overnight. Once the Romans left in the fifth century the Manzanares was abandoned.
In Spain, the Visigoths ably filled the power vacuum, establishing the Christian capital of the Visigothic kingdom at the strategic location of Toledo. Surrounded by large land estates controlled by oligarchies who offered safety and food in return for allegiance and work. It was the beginnings of Spain’s feudal model that prospered well into the nineteenth century with power shared between the king, aristocracy and church – a model that shaped development up to modern times.
From the 5th century, the village of Madrid became a small settlement. But there are no in situ remains of the infrastructure or art from this period, although the Museo Arqueologico Nacional displays Visigothic treasures from other parts of Spain.
An outstanding story of Spain’s pre-history, early history, Roman and Visigothic foundations and artefacts is on display at the Museo Arqueologico Nacional. The museum, founded during the reign of Queen Isabella II in 1867, and boasting stunning classical architecture and modern interiors is home to archaeological exhibits, mostly excavated in Spain, plus the unmissable reconstruction of Spain’s famous cave paintings at Altamira. Full captions in English add enormously to a visit. Nearby, founded in 1712, the Biblioteca Nacional de Espana greets visitors with large statues of Spanish national and literary heroes (e.g., San Isidro, King Pelayo and Miguel Cervantes). It is Spain’s equivalent to the British Library, albeit pre-dating it by 50 years. The public cannot access the reading rooms without prior registration, but can enter the resplendent entrance hall, ascend the lavish marble staircase, visit the committee room and attend several free exhibitions in the main building and basement annex.
Local eats: Restaurante Ultramarinos Quintín (C. de Jorge Juan) is a Mediterranean-style restaurant on three floors, popular with locals in the heart of the Salamanca neighbourhood.
