The Iberian Peninsula (“Hispania” in Latin) is the term used by the Romans to refer collectively to modern Portugal, Spain, Andorra, Gibraltar and a very small region in Southern France. It was ruled by Rome for almost 500 years. Spain was occupied by the Romans in the 2nd century B.C. as part of it growing empire. It provides Rome with food, wine, olive oil and metal. Central Spain was part of the Roman province of Hispania Tarraconensis. Since most inhabitants of the said region were Celtic origin, the Romans refer to them as Celtiberians which means “Celts who live in Iberia”. It was constructed with paved roads to allow roman troops and supplies to travel across the Peninsula. Roman engineers set up bridges to cross rivers and gullies. There are still remaining 3-arched bridges in Meseta demonstrating the early technology used by the Romans in building structures. (https://www.spainexchange.com/articles/the-roman-legacy-of-spain/)

Roman’s one major influence to Spain is no doubt religion. During the Roman domination, Spain received Christianity. Today, Roman Catholicism is the leading religion in the country with 76% of Spanish population identifying themselves as Catholics. Perhaps the most penetrating Roman influence was lingual. The Spaniards have adopted a neo-Latin tongue that continued to exist in great flawlessness in Castile. The language has also experienced immense changes due to the aspirated expression in the East. It was the period of Roman colonization when Spain produced great orators, poets, and philosophers such as Quintilian, Lucan, Silius Italicus, Martial and Seneca. This is attributed to Roman’s great interest to literature and ironically Spain’s continual resistance which eventually ended when it was romanized. (https://www.spainexchange.com/articles/the-roman-legacy-of-spain/)

In the late third century AD the Roman Empire was showing signs of its coming collapse. The political framework was becoming corrupt and decadent and two Germanic tribes, the Franks and the Alemanni, periodically invaded across the Pyrenees causing significant destruction. In 410 AD, the Suevi and the Vandals, other Germanic tribes, were forced into the Iberian Peninsula because the Huns were displacing them in Europe. These were followed by the Visigoths, from Gaul, one time enemies of Rome who then became their allies. There is not much left of Visigothic architecture in Spain but what remains is interesting. For example, what is probably Spain’s oldest church is the 7th century San Juan, which can be found in Baños de Cerrato in the province of Palencia. In Visigoth times this was an important grain producing region and the King Reccesuinth commissioned the building of a church there when, on returning from a successful battle with rebelling Basques, he drank from the waters and recovered from all his ailments. You can still see the original inscription in the stones above the entrance. Several bronze belt buckles and liturgical objects as well as a necropolis with 58 tombs have been discovered here. (https://www.spanish-fiestas.com/history/visigoths/)

The Spanish occupation by the Moors began in 711 AD when an African army, under their leader Tariq ibn-Ziyad, crossed the Strait of Gibraltar from northern Africa and invaded the Iberian peninsula 'Andalus' (Spain under the Visigoths). Moors, who were religious fanatics, arrived in Spain in the year 711 and thus began a period of history which would shape Iberia differently than the rest of Europe as the land adapted to a new religion, language and culture. Hispania became a part of the caliph of Damascus which was the capital of the Muslim world. The Moors expanded and improved Roman irrigation systems to help develop a strong agricultural sector. They introduced many new crops including the orange, lemon, peach, apricot, fig and pomegranate as well as saffron, sugar cane, cotton, silk and rice which remain some of Spain’s main products today. Their language was Inshallah. Architecture that was created was courtyards. Andalucia was education for all. The Moos stayed for 800 yrs! (https://blackhistorystudies.com/resources/resources/15-facts-on-the-moors-in-spain/)

Spain's story is one of Europe's grand epics. It embraces the great struggles between Muslims and Christians of the Middle Ages, one of the world's biggest-ever empires, and, in the 20th century, civil war, dictatorship and a stunning return to democracy. As you travel around the country it's delightfully easy to get in touch with Spain's fascinating past through its countless well-preserved monuments and historical sites, and excellent museums. (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/narratives/background/history)

The Reconquista, the battle between the Christian kingdoms and the Moors lasted until 1492, and in 1512 the unification of present-day Spain was completed. During the 16th century, Spain became the most powerful nation in Europe, due to the immense wealth derived from their possessions in the Americas. (https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/spain)