ANCIENT HISTORY

.Ancient history began with the invention of writing (3.500 b.C.)..It ended with the fall of the Roman Empire (476 a.C.)

IBERIAN AND CELTS.In the early Ancient Period, two groups of people lived on the Iberian peninsula: Iberian and Celts..The Iberians lives along the mediterranean cost. .The Celts lived in the northern and central areas of the peninsula.

THE ROMANS

ROMAN HISPANIA

.The Romans invaded the Iberian peninsula and conquered the Iberians and Celts..They named the new territory HISPANIA.

.The population adopted the language (Latin) and customs of the Romans.This process was called “Romanisation”. .Here are some important facts: - They founded a lot of important cities. - They wrote the firts laws : there were slaves and free people. - The Romans built new different structures: theatres, circus, thermal bath houses, triumphal arches, aqueducts…

- Transport and trade were developed. - They created a sistem of stone roads. - Culture was developed : arquitecture, mosaics, sculptures…

ROMAN CITIES.Roman cities had a rectangular shape , with parallel streets..In the centre there was a central square ( Forum)..Near the forum there were shops, markets and artisans’s workshops..The Romans lived en two tiped of housing: DOMUS ( rich people) and INSULA (poor people)..The cities had all kind of facilities: theatres, fountains,circus…

ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES.Agriculture was the main activity.The main crops were wheat, grapes and olives..Crafts were also important.There were workshops in cities..Mining: gold, silver, iron, tin and mercury were mined. .There was considerable trade within the empire and across its frontiers.

RELIGION.They were polytheists. Their main gods were : JUPITER, JUNO and MINERVA. They had temples..In the first century AC, the followers of Jesus of Nazareth founded a new religion, called Chistianity..First ,the followers were punished, but in 313 Emperor Constantine allowed the Christians to practise their religion freely.