TRIBE: Iberian Celt REGION: ROMANS KILLED: At VIRIATHUS least 25,000

This Celtic tribe was famous for its weapons. Their , made from the best quality steel, could cut through Roman armor like a knife through butter. Rome became so threatened by them that they brought in 300 North African cavalry and ten elephants from to in order to bolster their legions and defeat them.

Shepherd. Bandit. Guerilla. General.

Viriathus hailed from a spare diet and hard or enslaved all the males

Lusitania, which physical labor. of fighting age, a reported occupied modern day 30,000 people. Viriathus The Roman conquest of Portugal and part of was one of the few men Spain began during the western Spain. It is not to escape this massacre. known precisely when In the aftermath, he against Carthage and its he was born, but the persuaded his fellow famed general, ancient authors survivors to refuse any Hannibal. Some describe him as an peace terms offered to tried to avoid inhabitant of the coast, them. In time, he became war by requesting a a shepherd who in the leader of a growing peace treaty with Rome, childhood lived in the but the alliance was in mountains. Accounts name only. In 151 BC, Swarthy, longhaired and recall his great strength armed with their trademark Rome betrayed them machete swords, these and agility, the result of warrior-bandits called the and systematically killed mountains of Portugal home.

Lusitanian rebel army, strategist, with a Viriathus’ guerrilla tactics determined to resist the great reputation for were so successful that vastly superior Roman personal courage, other local tribes began forces. decency and to emulate them. The generosity. He was Romans found But facing deadly and careful to divide the themselves constantly disciplined legions of spoils of victory harried by dozens of small Roman soldiers was a among his bravest forces rather than one tall order for the less fighters. Over an large one. equipped Lusitanians. eight-year period, he Rather than face the In 139 BC, once he was repeatedly inflicted armies head on, confident that a peaceful severe losses on the Viriathus developed a future was possible for the Romans. Realizing signature strategy: Lusitanians, Viriathus sent the seriousness of the guerrilla warfare based messengers to the Roman threat, Rome sent on lightning attacks and army to sue for peace. two legions to Spain equally speedy retreats. Instead, the messengers to counter him, and were bribed to Reports hail Viriathus as ultimately dispatched assassinate him as he a cunning military more than 20,000 to slept. After the deed was put down the done, rather than paying Lusitanians and the hired assassins, Rome conquer the region promptly executed them. for good.

About the Actor

Jefferson Hall Vikings (HISTORY), Wizards vs. Aliens (BBC), Game of Thrones (HBO), Emma (BBC)