Sal's Flamenco Soapbox-Spanish History

The Celts

5,000BC - 1,000AD
Celts was the name applied by ancient Greek writers, from the 5th century BC on, to a group of peoples who inhabited central and western Europe. The name Iberia also came from the Greeks, and is believed to mean 'river'. It's interesting that the northern province of Galicia is known as "land of the 1000 rivers".

Archaeological evidence suggests they the Celts originated from France and western Germany around the 12th Cent BC. Around 8th-6th Cent BC they began to settle in the British Isles. Between the 5th and 1st centuries BC, their influence extended to Northern Spain (Galicia), displacing the Carthaginians. (i) The flamenco forms Farruca and Garrotín are said to have come from the regions of Northern Spain. These songs found their way south by sea to Cádiz via the established trade routes... more

The Romans
Romans-By Braun and Schneider - c.1861-1880

200BC - 400AD
The Spanish call their country Espana. When the Romans took over the Iberian Peninsula in 200 BC, they called their new province 'Hispania'. The Muslims later referred to the Christian part of the country as 'Ishbaniya'. Spain became a leading Roman province for over 500 years. The Romans introduced Latin to the region and this gradually developed into the Spanish language. Christianity was also introduced during Roman rule.

Although Spain's racial identity comes from the original inhabitants, the Iberians (a collection of many different tribal groups), the first signs of lasting cultural identity was probably born during the Roman occupation.

The Visigoths
Visigoths-By Braun and Schneider - c.1861-1880

468-711
The Visigothic period, despite its negative aspects, united the country in language, administration and law for the first time. Some historians believe this period gave birth to the Spanish national sentiment.

Time line of Spanish history
35,000 - 5,000BC	The Iberians. Original stone age inhabitants made of various tribes.
5,000 - 1,000BC	Various immigrants including Jews and Celts.
1,100BC	Phoenicians founded the city of Gadir (Cádiz).
550BC	Greek occupation.
219BC - 202BC	Carthaginian occupation and the Punic wars with the Romans.
200BC - 400AD	Roman occupation.
468 - 537	Visigoths ally with Romans against the barbarian hordes from the north.
537 - 711	Visigothic occupation.
711 - 1492	Moorish occupation (Arabs and North African Berbers).
1492	Christian occupation led by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.

Spanish History - Spain Map