Edetani

Origins

The Edetani occupied the coastal plain and hills of the modern province of Valencia, between the Júcar and the Mijares, from about the 5th century BCE. Their capital, Edeta, stood on the hill of Tossal de Sant Miquel above Llíria.

Rule and society

Edeta's excavated houses have yielded famous painted pottery showing warriors, dancers and hunting scenes, with Iberian inscriptions. The Edetani lived from farming, crafts and trade along the coast, and their leaders controlled networks of villages and watchtowers. In 209 BCE their prince Edeco went over to Scipio after the fall of Carthago Nova, recovering his family held hostage there.

Decline and legacy

The Edetani joined Rome during the Second Punic War and were absorbed into Hispania Citerior. In 138 BCE the Romans founded Valentia, modern Valencia, in their territory, and Edeta itself was later abandoned in favour of a Roman town on the plain.