THE OWNERS OF VILLAS IN THE TERRITORY OF ROMAN ASTURIAS (SPAIN): ISSUES OF IDENTITY

Abstract

In this paper we introduce an advance on some preliminary reflections that configure the identity of the Roman Asturian population, that occupied the villae of the transmontane Asturian territory during the Late Roman Empire. Through the study of the classical sources, that allude to this people in the Northwest of the Iberian Peninsula, we combine the results together with the spatial analysis of the territory and the mapping of the rural villae (that were distributed throughout this territory). With all of that, we interpret some guidelines that identified the character and personality of the first Asturian Romans. The territory of Asturias was conquered by Rome after the Cantabrian Wars during 29-19 B.C.

Keywords

• roma, villae, rural landscape, identity, classical sources, asturias (spain).