Decimus Junius Brutus Callaicus

Decimus Junius Brutus Callaicus was a Roman politician and general of the 2nd century BC. Brutus led the Roman legions in the conquest of western Iberia after the death of Viriathus, chieftain of the Lusitanians. In his conquest, he scored major victories in the south of modern Portugal, before going on to the north. He had the city of Olissipo (modern Lisbon) fortified and advanced to the north, destroying settlements as he went. A fortified position was established at Viseu, the Douro river was crossed and the Lima river was reached by 137 BC. Ultimately, according to Strabo, Brutus conquered the Minho river. At the end of Brutus' campaigns, Rome controlled the territory between the Douro and Minho rivers plus probable extensions along the coast and in the interior. It was only under Augustus, however, at the end of the 1st century BC, that present north Portugal and Galicia were fully pacified and under Roman control.

In 136 BC the Roman Senate granted him the title Callaicus for his campaigns in Gallaecia.

Brutus was proconsul in Lusitania in 113 BC with Gaius Marius, where they inflicted severe victories over the again rebellious Lusitanian tribes.

Brutus was the literary patron of the poet Lucius Accius

See also

• Timeline of Portuguese history
• Pre-Roman Western Iberia (Before the 3rd Century BC)
• Roman Lusitania and Gallaecia (3rd Century BC to 4th Century AC)

References