Iberians

Iberians, ancient people of eastern and southern Spain. The Iberian Peninsula, comprising Spain and Portugal, takes its name from them. The origin of the Iberians is still largely a matter for conjecture. Some scholars believe that the region around the Ebro River (in ancient times the Iberus) is the most likely place of origin, others that the Iberians migrated to the Iberian Peninsula from North Africa sometime between 4000 and 3500 bc. The earliest historical references to the Iberians were made by Greek colonists settled along the Mediterranean coast of the peninsula in the 6th century bc. By the time the Romans had gained possession of the peninsula as a consequence of the Second Punic War (218-201 bc), the Iberians had become mixed with Celtic invaders from the east, producing the so-called Celtiberians.

Material finds relating to the Iberians are largely limited to their coins and pottery. Most coins are inscribed in an alphabet partly derived from the Phoenician and Greek alphabets. Many letters, however, are in an earlier, apparently indigenous script of unknown origin. The script has been deciphered, and numerous place-names on the coins identified, but little more is understood at present. Iberian pottery has been uncovered in parts of France, Italy, and North Africa, brought there originally through trade and travel.

Iberians are generally thought to have been agriculturalists, although some were miners and metalworkers. They probably lived in and around politically independent city-states, and certainly possessed a sophisticated written literature. Their culture was indebted to the Carthaginians and Greeks who had colonized Spain before the Romans, and had reached a high level by the time of the Roman conquest. It was largely obliterated, however, by the overpowering influence of Rome. The Iberian language was replaced by Latin during the six centuries of Roman rule.

The ancient Greeks also used the name Iberian to refer to the inhabitants of Georgia, in the Caucasus. The two groups of people were not related.