rus. He disarmed the inhabitants of this part
of Spain, and compelled all from the Pyrenees to the Guadalquivir to
pull down their fortifications.

Still the smouldering fires of rebellion were not extinguished, for,
sixteen years later (179), we find TIBERIUS SEMPRONIUS GRACCHUS,
the father of the famous Gracchi, as Governor of Spain, fighting the
troublesome Celtiberi. He captured over one hundred of their towns, but
tempered his victories with moderate measures, showing himself greater
in peace than in war. He granted to the poorer classes lands on
favorable conditions, and did much to produce contentment among the
natives. But farther west, in the valleys of the Douro and Tagus, and in
Lusitania (Portugal), there seems to have been constant warfare.

In 154, MUMMIUS, the same who eight years later sacked Corinth, was
Governor of Farther Spain. His defeat by the Lusitanians encouraged the
Celtiberi to revolt again, and there followed another defeat, with
a massacre of many Roman citizens. Two years later (152), CLAUDIUS
MARCELLUS avenged these losses, founded Corduba, and governed the
country humanely. His successors, LUCIUS LUCULLUS and SERVIUS GALBA,
were so cruel and grasping as to drive the Lusitanians into another open
rebellion, headed by VIRIATHUS, a bold and daring bandit. During seven
years (147-140) he defeated again and again the armies sent against him.
The Celtiberi joined his standards, and Spain seemed likely to slip from
the Romans. The only check to these successes was during the command of
METELLUS MACEDONICUS (143); when he was recalled, matters returned to
their former condition.

In 140, the Consul Mancinus was obliged to capitulate, and, to save
himself and his army, made a treaty which the Senate refused to
sanction.

Viriathus was finally (139) assassinated by persons hired by the Consul
Caepio; his people were then subdued, and the government was ably
conducted (138) by DECIMUS JUNIUS BRUTUS.

THE NUMANTINE WAR (143-133).

The Celtiberi, however, were still in arms. The strong city of NUMANTIA,
the capital of one of their tribes, witnessed more than one defeat of a
Roman Consul before its walls (141-140). Finally Rome sent out her best
general, Africanus the younger.

After devoting several months to the disciplining of his troops, he
began (134) a regular siege of the place. It was defended with the
utmost bravery and tenacity, until, forced by the last extreme of
famine, it surre