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Location -

The Lusitanians were a tribe of people who lived in the west of the Iberian Peninsula. The area they inhabited roughly corresponds to modern-day central Portugal, as well as parts of what are Extremadura and Castilla y Leon in Spain.

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Diodorus Siculus -

The little we know about the Lusitanians comes from the limited records remaining about them. Ancient Greek historian Diodorus Siculus wrote they were connected to another tribe believed to be Celtic, the Cimbri.

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The Cimbri -

"Those who are called Lusitanians are the bravest of all similar to the Cimbri," described Diodorus Siculus. The Cimbri were thought to have originated in Jutland (Denmark), which was referred to as Cimbria in some classical texts.

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The Cimbri -

There is uncertainty about whether the Cimbri were Germanic or Celts, as Roman writers tended to lump these groups together. This again casts doubt on whether the Lusitanians were Celtic.

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Strabo -

The Greek philosopher and historian Strabo differentiated the Lusitanians from other Iberian tribes, but he thought of them as being Celtiberians.

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Pliny the Elder -

While Strabo recorded them as being Celtiberians, Pliny the Elder, a famous Roman writer, philosopher, and historian, distinguished the Lusitanians from neighboring Celtic groups in his writings.

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Archaeological findings -

Archaeological findings in the area seem to suggest the Lusitanians were a pre-Celtic, Indo-European people who could have picked up elements of Celtic culture by proximity.

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The Second Punic War -

Between 218 and 201 BCE, Lusitanian mercenaries fought for Carthage against Rome, in the Second Punic War. They combined with the Gallaeci to form a contingent led by the same commander.

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The Romans in Hispania -

From 193 BCE, the Lusitanians fought the Romans in Hispania. Viriathus became the Lusitanian leader in 147 BCE, three years after a massive defeat to the Romans that ended in massacre.

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Viriathus -

Viriathus was the most important leader of the Lusitanians. He has also been recorded as a leader of the Celtiberians. Most likely, his alliances with other Celtic groups strengthened the Lusitanians to rebel against Rome.

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Viriathus -

Supported by most of the Lusitanian and Vetton tribes, and their Celtic and Iberian allies, Viriathus led several victories over the Romans until 139 BCE.

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Betrayal -

Viriathus proved too difficult to defeat in battle, so the Romans bribed three of his companions—Audax, Ditalcus, and Minurus—to betray him, killing him in his sleep.

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Citizens of Rome -

The Lusitanians gradually acquired the language and culture of the Romans, and eventually the inhabitants of Lusitanian cities were deemed "Citizens of Rome."

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Language -

The Lusitanian language is considered Paleohispanic, belonging to the Indo-European family of languages.

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Language -

It's possible that contact with Celtic groups after their migration to the Iberian Peninsula accounts for the assimilation of some Celtic features found in the language.

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Lusitanian beliefs and deities -

A pantheon of Lusitanian deities emerged as part of the culture's mythology. The religious practices of Western Iberia were heavily influenced by them.

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Gallaecian crossover -

As the borders shifted numerous times, many of the Lusitanian deities shared names with the Gallaecians, who were a Celtic people.

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Bandua -

Bandua was a god or goddess worshipped in Lusitania and Galicia. It's believed he or she was a protector of the local community.

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Berobreus -

Berobreus was the god of the underworld. The largest shrine dedicated to this deity is located at Morrazo peninsula in the Cíes Islands (Galicia).

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Bormanicus -

Bormanicus was similar to the Gaulish god Borvo, ruling over hot springs. He has been associated with the Roman god Mars, with sites to him found in Portugal at Vizela and at Idanha-a-Velha.

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Nabia -

Nabia is often compared to the Roman goddess Diana. Nabia is believed to have been a water deity, and is seen as the goddess of fertility, health, and abundance.

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Reue -

Possibly corresponding to the Roman god Jupiter, Reue/Reo/Reve/Rebe all seem to be equivalents. He is believed to be a sky deity, and dedications to him can be found near mountains.

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Lugus -

Lugus or Lucabo is a common deity among Celtic people. He is connected to prosperity, trade, and craft, and corresponds to the Roman god Mercury.

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Coventina -

Another common Celtic deity, dedications to Coventina are usually found at wells, as she is associated with water nymphs, abundance, and fertility.

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Endovelicus -

Believed to be a god of prophecy and healing, Endovelicus was lord of the underworld, and is associated with the afterlife as well as vegetation.

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Epona -

Epona was a fertility goddess, who was also considered a protector of horses, donkeys, and mules. Epona was worshipped in all Celtic cultures, and, later on, even in Rome.

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Tribes -

The Lusitanian people were made up of tribes, each one with its own territory. They were independent and occupied the lands between the Douro and Tagus rivers.

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Tribes -

Each tribe had a chief and aristocracy that ruled over it. Much of that aristocracy would have been made up of warriors from the time, and tribes would typically unite only when they collectively faced a threat from a large, external power.

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Lusitanian heritage -

Today, the word "Lusophone" denotes a Portuguese speaker, and can refer to the shared linguistic and cultural tradition of people who speak the Portuguese language.

Sources: (Britannica) (Portugal Online)

See also: The fascinating history of the Portuguese era of exploration

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