tribal confederation · Iberia

Arevaci

400 BCE – 133 BCE (approx.) · capital Numantia

The strongest of the Celtiberian peoples, defenders of Numantia, whose siege by Scipio Aemilianus in 134 to 133 BCE became a byword for resistance.

Origins

The Arevaci occupied the upper Douro basin in modern Soria and Segovia from about the 4th century BCE. Strabo called them the most powerful of the Celtiberians, and their towns included Numantia, Termes and Uxama.

Rule and society

They lived in large fortified towns with grid-like streets, governed by councils and elected war leaders. Numantia's pottery shows painted horses and warriors. Herding, cereal growing and iron working sustained them, and their warriors were renowned in Roman sources for courage and skill with the sword.

Decline and legacy

From 153 BCE they led resistance to Rome, defeating several consuls. In 134 BCE Scipio Aemilianus surrounded Numantia with walls and starved it; Retogenes broke out to seek aid, but the town fell in 133 BCE. The Arevaci later backed Sertorius before becoming part of Hispania Citerior.

Lineage

Celtiberians 600 BCE – 72 BCEArevaci

Connections (1)

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Arevaci. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/arevaci
MLA
“Arevaci.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/arevaci. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Arevaci.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/arevaci.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Arevaci’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/arevaci (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻