233. Spain ¹ Our knowledge of Spanish affairs in this
period is very fragmentary. We read of obscure wars to put
down native risings, generally provoked by Roman misdeeds, of
insincere submissions and renewed rebellions. The Roman forces
in Spain, mostly Allies, were in a chronic state of discontent. It
was not only the soldiers that disliked the Spanish service, with
its hardships and dangers, and small prospect of rich booty to
compensate them (in case they survived it) for their long exile
from Italy. Praetors also shirked the Spanish provinces. In 176
both the praetors to whom the lot assigned these departments
contrived to evade the duty. Yet the occasional employment
of native levies to cooperate with Roman armies suggests that
better management might have made things work more smoothly.
In the years 171-168, when Rome was busy with Perseus, a single
praetor was left in charge of both provinces. The previous wars
had been due to the irritating policy of the Roman governors,
and this had to cease for a time. The chief war of this period
was that of 181-180, when a great rising of the Celtiberians in
central Spain was suppressed. Roman policy appeared at its best
in Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus, who ruled the Hither Spain in
180 and 179. By kindly and fair treatment he gained the con-
fidence of the natives and led them to more settled and peaceful
ways of life. After his return to Rome he watched over their
interests, and the land had rest for some 25 years. Oppression
did not wholly cease. In 171 a deputation came from the Spanish
provinces to complain of recent extortions. Two or three ex-
governors were brought to trial in the form of civil actions for

-193-