Ilergetes - A case for a new faction

[Bucefalo]

ILERGETES – A CASE FOR A NEW FACTION


This is the faction proposal for one of the most warlike of all the coastal iberian tribes, they played an important role participating actively during the second punic war, siding first with the Carthaginians and later with the Romans. The coastal Iberian tribes (such as the turdetani, bastetani, edetani, etc.) were quite different from the tribes of the interior of the peninsula, and I think they should be represented separately. That´s why I propose the Ilergetes, who were one of the tribes who opposed most resistance against the invaders of all the iberian coastal tribes.


Ilergetes, Indiketes and Iacetanos: Iberian camps next to the walls of Emporion

Of Iberian origin with Celtic influences, the Ilergetes were one of the most powerful peoples of the East of the Peninsula.
His ethnic root begins in the a.c Xth century, key date since he supposes the end of the Age of the Bronze and the beginning of that of Iron.
The Ilergetes settled in the current provinces of Lleida, Huesca, and long ago also in the North of Saragossa and even of Castellón.
His capital was still not open Atanagrum, but nevertheless his most well-known cities were Iltirta (Lleida) and Esoi.
His society was divided in classes much hierarchised, with a strong component military and directed by a king or régulo.
This Iberian people developed an economic potency in his area of influence and minted proper currency, taking advantage of the commerce that they were supporting with the Greek city of Emporion (Ampurias). Also they developed the gold work and the metallurgy.
His most important historical figure was king Indibil allied of Carthage during the Second Punic War.
They were definitively defeated by Rome in the year 194 a.c by the intervention of the consular legions of Catón.

The indiketes occupied the coast gerundese, and taking advantage of the closeness of the Greek cities of Rhode (Roses) and Emporion developed a trade policy that allowed them to mint proper currency, your capital was Indika (Iberian part of Emporion) and they were much influenced by the Hellene ones in many fields of his society.

The Iacetanos were of Gallic origin and they were related with the French aquitanos. They occupied the provinces of Saragossa and Huesca.
During the IIIrd and IInd centuries a.c carried frequent operations of pillage out against the peoples of aldrededor, especially against the suessetanos, what I create to them reputation of barbarian and backward people. Nevertheless also, like the previous ones, minted proper currency and thanks to the rubrics that appear in them we know that his language was Iberian with influences vasconas. His society was matrilineal, or probably led by women in the domestic matters and for men in the warlike matters.
They were defeated by Catón in 195 B.C.

Location of the Ilergetes




Linguistic differences between the iberian tribes (in Spanish)

http://www.geocities.com/linguaeimpe...spanic_es.html

Iberian and Celtic names (in Spanish)
http://hispanismo.org/geografia-y-et...-y-celtas.html

Possible faction symbol

This is a coin found in Iaca (Jaca), actual Aragón. The faction symbol could be the rider depicted on the coin.




The Ilergetes in the Second Punic War (in Spanish)

http://descargas.cervantesvirtual.co...030.pdf?incr=1

Victory conditions



Military

They would have a roster composed of mostly Iberian troops (iberi caetrati, velites, scutari etc.) with some exterior influences, like the use of celtic long swords or some greek style armour.
Here is a depiction of a Ilergete warrior.



And some reconstructions







Sources

http://www.satrapa1.com/paginas/anib...ispania206.htm
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilergetas
http://piedraantigua.blogcindario.co...-emporion.html
http://www.enciclopedia-aragonesa.co...sp?voz_id=7047
http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/vie...21543&start=40
http://www.pasapues.es/aragonesasi/h...rerromanos.php