Hello and welcome to this Christmas Developer Diary for Imperator:Rome!

Today we will be looking at the peninsula of Hispania during the period around the start of Imperator.

Hispania: ​

Baetica:



Starting Countries:



Turdetania : Strong tribal kingdom in the central part of souther Hispania. As the major power in the region they are frequently at odds with their Greek and Phoenician neighbors as well as other tribes such as the Turduli. Turdetania starts independent and unaligned.

: Strong tribal kingdom in the central part of souther Hispania. As the major power in the region they are frequently at odds with their Greek and Phoenician neighbors as well as other tribes such as the Turduli. Turdetania starts independent and unaligned. Tartessia : Tribal offshot of Turdetania occupying the region that was once part of the ancient kingdom of Tartessos. While Tartessos is long gone it has left its mark in the form of a distinctly different cultural influence in this area. Tartessia starts independent and unaligned.

: Tribal offshot of Turdetania occupying the region that was once part of the ancient kingdom of Tartessos. While Tartessos is long gone it has left its mark in the form of a distinctly different cultural influence in this area. Tartessia starts independent and unaligned. Menesthei : Greek city state just south of Lacus Ligustinus at the estuary of the Guadalquivir river. Menesthei was home to a local oracle of some renown and apart from Greeks it is also home to a significant Phoenician community. Menesthei starts in a defensive league with Gadir.

: Greek city state just south of Lacus Ligustinus at the estuary of the Guadalquivir river. Menesthei was home to a local oracle of some renown and apart from Greeks it is also home to a significant Phoenician community. Menesthei starts in a defensive league with Gadir. Gadir : Ancient Phoenician trade city in Southern Spain. Many hundreds of years older than Carthage itself Gadir remains its own actor and is not directly tied to the great African city. Gadir starts in a defensive league with Menesthei.

: Ancient Phoenician trade city in Southern Spain. Many hundreds of years older than Carthage itself Gadir remains its own actor and is not directly tied to the great African city. Gadir starts in a defensive league with Menesthei. Turdulia : Turdulian Tribal kingdom north of Turdetania and at the southern border of the celtiberian tribal region, based around the city of Iporca. The tribe is separated from other Turduli tribes in Lusitania by the Celtici to its west. Turdulia starts independent and unaligned.

: Turdulian Tribal kingdom north of Turdetania and at the southern border of the celtiberian tribal region, based around the city of Iporca. The tribe is separated from other Turduli tribes in Lusitania by the Celtici to its west. Turdulia starts independent and unaligned. Cynetia : Iberian Tribal kingdom on the southwestern tip of Hispania. Small and under pressure from the expanding Celt-Iberian tribes to the north, Cynetia often sought outside protection from powers like Carthage and Rome. Cynetia starts independent and unaligned.

: Iberian Tribal kingdom on the southwestern tip of Hispania. Small and under pressure from the expanding Celt-Iberian tribes to the north, Cynetia often sought outside protection from powers like Carthage and Rome. Cynetia starts independent and unaligned. Eburania : Small tribal kingdom north of the Carthaginian controlled coastline. Eburania starts independent and unaligned.

: Small tribal kingdom north of the Carthaginian controlled coastline. Eburania starts independent and unaligned. Oretania : Strong Iberian tribal kingdom in the Sierra Morena mountains with ample access to Precious Metals and Base Metals. While weaker than the Turdetani, Oretania would remain independent up until Roman conquest and exerts authority over some nearby tribes. The Oretani starts independent and unaligned.

: Strong Iberian tribal kingdom in the Sierra Morena mountains with ample access to Precious Metals and Base Metals. While weaker than the Turdetani, Oretania would remain independent up until Roman conquest and exerts authority over some nearby tribes. The Oretani starts independent and unaligned. Garmania : Small tribal kingdom north of Oretania in a mixed region of Iberians and Celtiberians (Romans would later speculate that they were also related to Germanians far from Iberia). Garmania starts as a Tributary of Oretania.

: Small tribal kingdom north of Oretania in a mixed region of Iberians and Celtiberians (Romans would later speculate that they were also related to Germanians far from Iberia). Garmania starts as a Tributary of Oretania. Mentasania: Small tribal kingdom north of Oretania with many characteristics similar to Garmania. Mentasania starts as a tributary of Oretania.

Contestania



Starting Countries:



Bastetania : Ancient Iberian Tribal Kingdom that has been much diminished by the expansion of the Phoenician colony around Malaca. Bastetania starts the game independent and unaligned.

: Ancient Iberian Tribal Kingdom that has been much diminished by the expansion of the Phoenician colony around Malaca. Bastetania starts the game independent and unaligned. Mastia : Iberian city state near modern Cartagena, formerly in league with Tartessos. While the region under Mastian control is small it includes some of the richest and most accessible Gold Fields in Hispania. In time this area would come under Carthaginian influence and be the site of the flourishing city of New Carthage, the main port of Hispania. Mastia starts independent and unaligned.

: Iberian city state near modern Cartagena, formerly in league with Tartessos. While the region under Mastian control is small it includes some of the richest and most accessible Gold Fields in Hispania. In time this area would come under Carthaginian influence and be the site of the flourishing city of New Carthage, the main port of Hispania. Mastia starts independent and unaligned. Contestania : Perhaps the strongest tribal kingdom in a very divided region, Contestania is a medium sized Iberian state with some influence beyond its borders. At starts it is independent and unaligned.

: Perhaps the strongest tribal kingdom in a very divided region, Contestania is a medium sized Iberian state with some influence beyond its borders. At starts it is independent and unaligned. Deitania : Tribal offshoot of Contestani. Deitania starts as a tributary of Contestania.

: Tribal offshoot of Contestani. Deitania starts as a tributary of Contestania. Hemeroskopeion : Greek city state on the eastern coastline founded by Massalian settlers. Hemeroskopeion starts in a defensive league with Massilia and Emporion to its north.

: Greek city state on the eastern coastline founded by Massalian settlers. Hemeroskopeion starts in a defensive league with Massilia and Emporion to its north. Edetania : Iberian Tribe in the eastern Hispanian inland. Edetania starts independent and unaligned.

: Iberian Tribe in the eastern Hispanian inland. Edetania starts independent and unaligned. Saguntum : Iberian tribal city state with its hinterland. Would in time grow to a thriving trade power in the region and attract attention from Rome and Carthage. Eventually the allegiance of Saguntum would become the trigger for the second Punic war. At our start Saguntum is independent and unaligned.

: Iberian tribal city state with its hinterland. Would in time grow to a thriving trade power in the region and attract attention from Rome and Carthage. Eventually the allegiance of Saguntum would become the trigger for the second Punic war. At our start Saguntum is independent and unaligned. Lobetania: Small tribal kingdom pressed south by the Celtic Bellia tribe. Lobetania starts independent and unaligned.

Carpetani Tribes:​

Solicia

Duitiquia

Tirtaliquia

Aelariquia

Moeniccia

Duniquia

Celtiberi States:​

Arevacia : Strongest and reputedly most warlike of the Celtiberian Tribal Kingdoms. Would in time come to unite the area and form the Celtiberian federation. Starts independent and unaligned.

: Strongest and reputedly most warlike of the Celtiberian Tribal Kingdoms. Would in time come to unite the area and form the Celtiberian federation. Starts independent and unaligned. Olcadia : Middle sized tribal kingdom between Arevacia and Boletia. Controls the mines of Segobriga, which in time would become the main source of Lapis Specularis in the mediterranean. A transparent stone wanted for, among other things, windowmaking. Olcadia starts independent and unaligned.

: Middle sized tribal kingdom between Arevacia and Boletia. Controls the mines of Segobriga, which in time would become the main source of Lapis Specularis in the mediterranean. A transparent stone wanted for, among other things, windowmaking. Olcadia starts independent and unaligned. Boletia : Middle sized tribal kingdom bordering the Iberian states on the coastline. Would often get provoke conflict with their neighbors and at times allied Carthage. Participated on the Carthaginian side in the second Punic War. Boletia starts independent and unaligned.

: Middle sized tribal kingdom bordering the Iberian states on the coastline. Would often get provoke conflict with their neighbors and at times allied Carthage. Participated on the Carthaginian side in the second Punic War. Boletia starts independent and unaligned. Bellia, Lusonia, and Tithia: Small tribal kingdoms in Celtiberia of which we know very little. They all start independent and unaligned.

Tarraconensis



Starting Countries:



Emporion : Largest and most influential Greek settlement in Spain. Emporion is a Plutocratic Republic that has acted as the main entrepot for Trade between southern Spain, Massilia in Gaul, Greek Italy and Greece. While its power is small compared to the military might of its nearby competitor, Carthage, it has maintained its independence in cooperation with nearby Iberian tribes. Emporion starts in a defensive league with Massilia and Hemeroskopeion as well as an alliance with Indiketia.

: Largest and most influential Greek settlement in Spain. Emporion is a Plutocratic Republic that has acted as the main entrepot for Trade between southern Spain, Massilia in Gaul, Greek Italy and Greece. While its power is small compared to the military might of its nearby competitor, Carthage, it has maintained its independence in cooperation with nearby Iberian tribes. Emporion starts in a defensive league with Massilia and Hemeroskopeion as well as an alliance with Indiketia. Indiketia : Iberian Tribal Kingdom and patron of the nearby Greek state of Emporion. At start Indiketia is allied with Emporion.

: Iberian Tribal Kingdom and patron of the nearby Greek state of Emporion. At start Indiketia is allied with Emporion. Cessetania : Iberian tribal kingdom just south of Emporion and Indiketia. The main city of the Cessetani, Tarracona, would under Roman rule grow to be the most important city in the region.

: Iberian tribal kingdom just south of Emporion and Indiketia. The main city of the Cessetani, Tarracona, would under Roman rule grow to be the most important city in the region. Ilercavonia : Iberian tribe on the western coastline of Hispania by the Ebro estuary. Ilercavonia starts independent and unaligned.

: Iberian tribe on the western coastline of Hispania by the Ebro estuary. Ilercavonia starts independent and unaligned. Sedetania : Iberian inland Tribal kingdom west of Ilercavonia. Sedetania starts independent and unaligned.

: Iberian inland Tribal kingdom west of Ilercavonia. Sedetania starts independent and unaligned. Ausetania : Small tribal kingdom between the Pyrenees and Cessetania. Would swap allegiance between Rome and Carthage during the punic wars.

: Small tribal kingdom between the Pyrenees and Cessetania. Would swap allegiance between Rome and Carthage during the punic wars. Ilergetia : Relatively strong and economically prosperous Iberian Tribal Kingdom between the central Pyrenees and the Ebro river. Ilergetia starts independent and unaligned.

: Relatively strong and economically prosperous Iberian Tribal Kingdom between the central Pyrenees and the Ebro river. Ilergetia starts independent and unaligned. Vasconia : Tribal Kingdom in the plain south of the western Pyrenees. Neighboring Ilergetia and Vardulia. The Vascones are often thought to be the ancestors of the modern Basque. Vasconia starts independent and unaligned.

: Tribal Kingdom in the plain south of the western Pyrenees. Neighboring Ilergetia and Vardulia. The Vascones are often thought to be the ancestors of the modern Basque. Vasconia starts independent and unaligned. Vardulia : Tribal Kingdom on the western tip of the Pyrenees, west of the Vasconians, in what is today the Basque country. Vardulia starts independent and unaligned.

: Tribal Kingdom on the western tip of the Pyrenees, west of the Vasconians, in what is today the Basque country. Vardulia starts independent and unaligned. Caristia : Small Aquitanian Tribal kingdom west of Vardulia. Starts independent and unaligned.

: Small Aquitanian Tribal kingdom west of Vardulia. Starts independent and unaligned. Autrigonia: Celtic tribe that arrived in this region in the last century. Originally settled to the south of where they now are they have been driven from their old capital in Autraca by the Turmodigia.

Gallaecia:



Starting Countries:

Callaecian Tribes:​

Coporia

Gravia

Interamicia

Leunia

Neria

Seurria

Silenia

Tamagania

Varrinia

Orgenomescia

Caladunia

Bracaria

Baniensia

Baedia

Arronia

Albionia

Aebocosia

Asturian Tribes:​

Cantabrian Tribes:​

Avariginia

Coniscia

Concania

Blendia

Morecania

Tamaricia

Vadinia

Lusitania:



Starting Countries:



Oppidania : Offshot from the Turduli people also found in Baetica. The Oppidani occupy much of the coastline of modern Portugal, but they have few friends in a region almost entirely dominated by Lusitanian tribes. Oppidania starts independent and unaligned.

: Offshot from the Turduli people also found in Baetica. The Oppidani occupy much of the coastline of modern Portugal, but they have few friends in a region almost entirely dominated by Lusitanian tribes. Oppidania starts independent and unaligned. Celticia : Celtiberian tribe north of Turdulia, most likely related to the celtiberi to the north. Would historically come to submit to the Carthaginians when they began to expand their influence over southern Hispania. Celticia starts independent and unaligned.

: Celtiberian tribe north of Turdulia, most likely related to the celtiberi to the north. Would historically come to submit to the Carthaginians when they began to expand their influence over southern Hispania. Celticia starts independent and unaligned. Sefia : Celtician Tribal Kingdom south of Oppidania and north of Cynetia. Starts independent and unaligned.

: Celtician Tribal Kingdom south of Oppidania and north of Cynetia. Starts independent and unaligned. Cempsia : Another Celtician Tribal Kingdom, closely related to Sefia. Starts independent and unaligned.

: Another Celtician Tribal Kingdom, closely related to Sefia. Starts independent and unaligned. Bardulia: Triba Turdulil kingdom surrounding by bigger neighbors. With Tartessia to the south, Turdulia to the east and Celticia to the north the Barduli are going to need to find friends quickly. Barduli starts independent and unaligned.

Lusitanian Tribes:​

Paesuria

Elbocoria

Tapolia

Igaedetania

Lancientia

Aravia

Taluria

Vettonian Tribes:​

Bletonisia

Caluria

Coerensia

Calontiensia

As we move on to Hispania we are approaching another region for which there is less information available in the kind of detail that we have gotten used to in the wider Hellenistic world. While there is indeed a lot of information about tribes in Hispania at our start date, it is not nearly as detailed as that of the wider Greek and Roman spheres. Because of this some of the countries described below will be dealt with in groups.In 450 AUC, or if you like 304 BCE, Hispania is a land populated by a disparate constellation of Tribal Kingdoms. Many consider themselves part of a larger tribal identity, such as the Caelici or the Lusitani, but they are not by any means a united people, or even a federation. To properly show this we have chosen to include many of the small tribal kingdoms that made up these larger groups, rather than have them anachronistically united. Should any one of the tribes rise to unite its kin it can form a larger tribal federation country. So a successful Arevacia for instance would form the Celtiberian confederation.To the Romans and Carthaginians, Hispania was a very rich region. It produces large quantities of valuable trade goods such as metals and olives, wine and grain. As they grew Carthage and Rome would soon both desire the peninsula, and make it one of the richest parts of their respective empires.In Imperator, Hispania is divided into five regions for administrative purposes: Baetica, Contestania, Tarraconensis, Gallaecia and Lusitania. These are based on historical divisions of the peninsula but also serve the gameplay purpose of governorships. As far as possible I will make use of these to structure the go through of the map, only breaking that format to keep together tribal federations.The southernmost part of Hispania is Baetica. This region is a great source of mineral wealth (with everything from Iron and Base Metals to the bountiful precious metal mines of the Sierra Nevada mountains) but it is also a rich agricultural region. It would grow to be one of the greatest sources of Olive Oil, wine and fish (especially the fish sauce Garum, which was a staple of the Mediterranean diet) in this part of the world.In 450 AUC Baetica is culturally Iberian and home to some of the stronger and more united tribes in Hispania. The Turdetani in particular is one of the stronger powers in Hispania at this point in time, often acting to attempt to block the influence of the Phoenician and Greek colonies on the coastline.As the leader of the Phoenician trading cities in the Western Mediterranean Carthage also has a considerable presence in this region, in particular in the form of the two cities of Malaca and Carteia and their respective hinterlands. It was in Baetica, and later on the eastern Spanish coast, that Carthage would expand the most up until its final showdown with Rome in the Punic wars.North of Baetica lies a region that would historically soon come to be called Carthaginian Hispania. With New Carthage/Carthago Nova as its main city, as well as the economic and political center. In 304 BCE however there is little direct Carthaginian influence over this region and the future site of the great Carthaginian city is controlled by Iberian tribes.Split between Iberian and Celtiberian tribal kingdoms this is a region with considerable economic wealth, if it can be properly consolidated and developed. Together with Tarraconensis this region is home to two of the more important tribal groups in the peninsula, the Celtiberi and the Carpetani, and for simplicity's sake we will describe both groups in their entirety here rather than split them between sections.In 304 BCE the Carpetani is a tribal identity but not a united federation. There are a number of tribal Carpetani kingdom that could come to form a united Carpetanian Tribal Federation if they can unite their home area by either conquest or voluntary submission. Not a lot is known of each tribal kingdom but they would in time come into conflict with Carthage (and also supplied Carthage with mercenaries). The main city of the region, Toletum, would grow to be a major urban settlement under Roman rule.The followingTribal kingdoms all start independent and unaligned:Not strictly limited to in game Contestania thetribes can be found in the eastern inland plain of Hispania, and they are in many ways one of the more dominant groups in 304 BCE Hispania. Later Roman and Carthaginian expansion would in time marginalize the Celtiberi but not before they united in a Celtiberian confederation (and like the Carpetani the Celtiberian states will also be able to do this).Named after Tarraco on the northeastern coastline of the peninsula Hispania Tarraconensis is the entire north eastern part of Iberia in Imperator, encompassing the Ebro river valley, the Pyrenees and their surroundings. Right at the border of Gaul and Iberia this is a varied region with Iberian, Celtiberian and Greek settlements in the east and south, as well as Celtic Aquitanian states in the west.In the far north, towards the atlantic coastline, lies the region of Gallaecia. A hilly and somewhat isolated, yet heavily fortified, region. Gallaecia is home to a great number of tribal kingdoms, from Cantabrians in the east to the Callaecians in the west, and would be one of the last parts of the peninsula to be conquered by Roman troops. Precious Metal and Iron can both be found here in great quantities.Vaccaeia: Mid sized Tribal kingdom in Central Hispania, bordering Arevacia. Having arrived at the same time as many of the Celtiberi tribes the Vaccaei were often actively involved in Celtiberian politics. Vaccaeia starts independent and unaligned.Turmodigia: Small tribal kingdom between Vaccaeia and Autrigonia. The former has recently helped them gain independence from the latter, securing more Autrigonian territory in the process. Land that the Autrigones likely want back. Turmodigia starts independent and unaligned.Occupying the entire north western portion of the Peninsula the Callaecian or Gallaecian landscape is dotted with small hillforts belonging to many small independent tribal kingdoms. With no written sources from the region at the time of the start of our period, it is nonetheless likely that these operated almost as small city states. Should one tribe manage to subdue or conquer the entire region they will be able to form a very powerful Callaecian federation, consisting of all of the below states.At the start of the game all of the following Callaecian Tribal Kingdoms start independent and unaligned:Like with many of the other tribes of northern Hispania we know most about the Astures from their reputation as mercenaries. Their homeland is not the richest part of the peninsula but it did prove quite hard to conquer for the Romans when they eventually tried to pacify the region. In 304 BCE the Astures are split among a great number of tribal kingdoms, who will all be able to unite into a Tribal Asturian federation through subjugating or conquering their kin. At the start of the game all the following Asturian Tribal Kingdoms are independent and unaligned:Just east of the Asturians, the Cantabrian tribes occupy the mountainous region towards the Atlantic coastline. Their region is rich in iron, base metals and silver. The Cantabri themselves were renowned for their military prowess and expertise, and would often serve as mercenaries in distant wars. When Rome was to eventually conquer the region, just around the end of the period covered by this game, it was only able to do so at considerable cost. In 304 BCE however the Cantabri tribes are quarreling and disunited. At start, all of the following Cantabrian Tribal Kingdoms are relatively small, independent and unaligned:Divided between Turduli, Celtici and Lusitanian tribes the region of Lusitania is as of yet free from direct foreign influence from Carthaginians, or Greeks. The region is perhaps not as endowed with agricultural and mining resources (though there are precious metal mines here as well) as Baetica to the south but still represents considerable wealth and power to anyone who can unify it.Tribal continuum between the Douro and Tagus rivers. While the Lusitanian tribes were far from united in 304 BCE they historically managed to band together to go on the offensive against Carthage and later Rome. Like other tribes described any of the Lusitani countries can form a greater Lusitanian federation if it subdues or conquers all the other tribes. The following countries are all independent Tribal Kingdoms, and unaligned:In the center of the Iberian plain the Vettonian tribes have settled in the past century (their origin is not entirely clear). In their near area the Vettones were often allies of the Lusitani against greater common threats such as the Carthaginians. If any Vettonian tribe unites the region by force or diplomacy they can form the larger Vettonian Federation. The following Vettonian countries are all unaligned, independent tribal kingdoms at the start of the game: