Waterways and Roman Geopolitics during the First Phase of Expansion in the Iberian Peninsula (218-195 BC): The Role of the Ebro River

Abstract

In this article we analyse the geopolitical situation of the Iberian Peninsula between the beginning of the Second Punic War and Cato's campaign. Looking back in time, we defend an interpretation of the role of the Ebro in the Treaty of 226 as a line of military security, but not as an economic frontier or a factor limiting Roman aspirations in the Iberian Peninsula. Secondly, we consider it significant that, once the conflict had begun, both Carthaginians and Romans kept this line in force as a theoretical demarcation of management areas. The territory given to Hannon for defence after Hannibal's departure was bounded by this river and the first effort of the Scipio brothers was to recover the Cisiberian land. From our point of view, the geographical concepts of 'citerior' and 'ulterior', applied to Hispania, are born in relation to the Ebro. The dates of the activity of the praetors in 197 and of the consul Cato in 195 suggest that the course of this river was maintained as a line of reference until at least 193. In any case, we cannot speak of limits or frontiers, since the effective power in the core areas of the provinces radiated to other territories where Rome exercised its hegemony through diplomatic relations.