Description
The Lusitani were an Iberian tribe, renowned for producing light skirmish warriors. They, along with other Iberians, presented a distinct and unpleasant challenge to Roman arms; Lusitani were even present among Hannibal’s ranks at the Battle of Cannae in 216BC. During the Roman incursions into Iberia between 155-139BC the Lusitani resisted, particularly once they had been lied to by, and subsequently massacred on the orders of, Servius Sulpicius Galba, the Praetor of Rome’s Iberian forces. He had convinced the Lusitani to give up their arms, and then had them slaughtered by his Legions. Seeking revenge, the Lusitani went on to fight a bitter guerrilla war against the invaders.
