The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-06-07
Ancient Spain

cultural wealth Of the Spanish peninsula
appears to have attracted the Phpnecians
the most commercial and enterprising peo.
pie Of antiquity. The city of Cadiz, IL is
supposed, was founded by them about one
thousand years before the Christian era
and with their colonists, the Carthogeni.
ans, they became in time possessed OF
many settlements on the sea coast. The
latter nation, having thus secured foot
ing, made strenuous efforts 20 effect the
entire conquest Of the country. The re.
sistsnce of the natives WAS fierce and pro.
longed but though in alliance with the
Romans. they were. for the most part
subdued, and brought under the yoke of
their invaders The successes OF Asdru-
bal and HaInilcar were carried yet further
by the famous Hannibal, the hereditary
and implacable foe of the Roman people
A triumphal arch, erected by the latter TO
commemorate his victories, ia still to be
seen at Matorel; being one Of the few
monuments which still exist Of that ex.
traordinary people.
The siege and capture Of the city Of Sa.
gantum, their faithful ally, aroused the
Romans TO a more vigorous opposition.
Large armies, headed BY their ablest lead-
ers, were despatched against the invaders,
who had gained possession of all the south
ern portion Of the peninsula. The contest
was long and obstinate but Scipio Afri.
canus, the most renowned and able general
of his day, finally succeeded in expelling
the Car,hogenians from the disputed terri
tory (B c. 2lo).
To convert the whole country into a
Roman province was, as usual, the policy
Of the victors The natives courageously
wthstood his oppressive pro. ect, aud their
resistance, protracted in various districts
for nearly two hundred years, evinced tho
same stubborn and unyield!ng patriotism
which had distinguished them in similar
contests at later day. During the civil
wars, which for So many years distracted
the commonwealth, Spain was the theatre
Of fierce contention, and frequently played
an important part in the grand contest for
empire, which finally resulted in the COM
plete sscendency of CFsar Under Au-
gustus, It was fully pacihed and subdued /;
aud was for some centuries, one of the
most refined and wealthy OF the Roman
provinces. II was the native country of
the emperors Adrian and Traian, of the
philosopher Seneca, and the poets Lucan
and Martial, as we'll as many others high.
ly distinguished in Roman history.
In the early part of the fifth century,
despite the resistance of the native inhab.
itants and the inefficient succours des-
patched by the Emperor Honorius, the
barbarous tribes which had already over
, vhelmed France, poured across the Pyre.
nees, and soon overran the country. These
invaders (the Alans, Vandals, and Suevi) }
were soon after followed by host of VS.
igoths, under their king Altaut, who ess
tablished himself in Catalonia, and found.
cd the Gothic monarchy of Spain. His
successors speedily subdued or expelled
the rival invaders, and greatly extended
the limits of the new kin gdom. nomi-
nal sovereignty was still, for the most
part, conceded to the Roman emperor.
The history Of these early Gothic reigns
affords, in general, little matter of inter
est The throne was frequently deluged
with blood, and the government disturbed
by conspiracy and rebellion. Religious
prosecutions, caused by conflicting opin-
ions among the Christian inhabitants,
ragged with great fury. Euric, in the lat
ter part of the fifth century, gained pos
session of Eastern Spain and Southern
France, and shook of the allegiance which
had hitherto been claimed by the emper-
ors Leovigild a century later, succeeded
in extending his control over nearly the
whole peninsula. His warlike and legis
lative qualities strengthened and improved
his kingdom but his character was tar
nished by cruelty and avarice. The mon.
archy was at times hereditary, and at 9th.
ers elective, and was the subject OF such
sanguinary contests as usually distinguish
rude and unsettled form Of government.
Early IN the eighth century, Roderic,
the last Of these Gothic sovereigns came
20 the throne lie had been distinguish ed
10y his ambition and his opposition to the
authority of Witiza, his predecessor; but
on his accession, abandoned himself to
ease and luxury in his capitol in Toledo
A licentious outrage which he committed
on beautiful attendant Of his queen,
named La Cava, proved the source of his
ruin. The injured damsel fed to her IA
ther, the powerful Count Julian, governor
Of Andalusia in Spain and of Muritania in
Africa lie was al this time making a gal
liant defence against the Saracens, who
under the celebrated Musa, had conquered
oil Northern Africa, except the province
under his command. Enraged at the in.
jury inflicted on his honor, h. made peace
with the enemy, and, painting in glowing
colors the wealthy and unprotected condi.
tion of Spain, invited an invasion Of his
country.
Walled, the Caliph Of Damascus, readily
consented to a scheme so promising, and
Tarik, an active and resolute Saraceu
chief, was despatched with seven thou
eand men on a new career Of conquest
II