THE ROMAN CONQUEST

In 218 A.D. the Romans defeated the Carthaginians in a war for the control of the Mediterranean sea. However, the Romans did not complete their conquest of the Iberian Peninsula until 19 B.C. because of resistance from peoples in the interior, north and west.

ROMAN RULE

The peninsula became part of the Roman Empire and was now called Hispania. Its inhabitants gradually adopted Roman customs, and they were ruled by Roman law.

They spoke Latin, the language of the Romans. Later, They became Christians.

The governor of Hispania was a Roman. He was responsible for keeping order and collecting taxes. Iberian leaders joined the Roman aristocratic class, and participated in government.

THE END OF ROMAN RULE

After many centuries of Roman rule, Rome began to lose power in Hispania. After about 400 A.D., germanic tribes from central and northern Europe invaded Hispania and conquered more territory. The Romans lost control of the peninsula.

ARCHITECTURE, TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION

The Romans constructed many types of buildings:

- Theatres, circuses, amphitheatres and thermal baths were built for people´s entertainment.

- Thriumphal arches and columns were built to commemorate important events, such as victory in battle.

- Ports, bridges and aqueducts were built to improve life in the cities.

The Romans also built stone roads between cities on the peninsula and between Hispania and other parts of the Empire.

ACTIVITY ROMAN HISPANIA

Match the two halves of each sentence:

1. In 218 the Romans                           a.many types of buildings.
2. The inhabitants of Hispania               b.defeated the Carthaginians.
3. The governor of Hispania                 c.lost control of the peninsula.
4. After about 400 A.D.the Romans     d.roads between cities.
5. The Romans built                              e.was a Roman
6. They also built stone                          f.spoke Latin