The following is a history of Galicia, a subsection of the Iberian Peninsula.
Paleolithic 200th millennium BC – In the Paleolithic period the Neanderthal Man enters the Iberian Peninsula. 70th millennium BC Neanderthal Mousterian culture. Beginning of the Last Ice Age. 40th millennium BC Beginning of the Upper Paleolithic. The first large settlement of Europe by modern humans, nomadic hunter-gatherers coming from the steppes of Central Asia, characterized by the M173 mutation in the Y chromosome, defining them as a haplogroup R population. When the Ice Age reached its maximum extent, these modern humans took refuge in Southern Europe, namely in Iberia, and in the steppes of southern Ukraine and Russian Federation. 30th millennium BC – Modern humans make way into the Iberian Peninsula, coming from southern France. Here, this genetically homogenous population (characterized by the M173 mutation in the Y chromosome), will develop the M343 mutation, giving rise to the R1b haplogroup, still dominant in modern Portuguese and Spanish populations. Extinction of the Neanderthal Man in its last refuge – the west of Iberia 15th millennium BC – Magdalenian cultural period in Europe.
Mesolithic 10th millennium BC The Allerød oscillation occurs, an interstadial deglaciation that weakens the rigorous conditions of the Ice Age. End of Upper Palaeolithic and beginning of the Mesolithic period. The populations sheltered in Iberia, descendants of the Cro-Magnon, given the deglaciation, migrate and recolonize all of Western Europe, thus spreading the R1b haplogroup populations (still dominant, in variant degrees, from Iberia to Scandinavia). Azilian culture in southern France and northern Iberia (to the mouth of the Douro river).
Neolithic 5th millennium BC Beginning of the Neolithic in the Iberian peninsula. Autochthonous development of agriculture in Iberia. Beginning of the Megalithic European culture, spreading to most of Europe The nomadic hunter-gathereres of the R haplogroup (characterized by the M173 mutation in the Y chromosome) that had taken refuge during the Last Ice Age in the steppes of southern Ukraine and Russian Federation (and had developed the M17 mutation, originating the R1a Haplogroup), give rise to the Proto-Indo-European cultures (speakers of the predecessor of languages), such as the Kurgan culture. 4th millennium BC - Inhabitants of the peninsular northwest build boats capable of crossing over ocean and colonize the British Isles. This event could be reflected in the legend of Breogán and his children.
Bronze Age 1st millennium BC First wave of migrations into Iberia, of the Urnfield culture (Oestrimni, speakers of the Proto-Celtic language). Bronze culture (Celtic) in the northwest of Iberia (modern Galicia and northern Portugal), maintaining commercial relations with Brittany and the British Isles. Emergence of the Castro culture in this Iberian area.
Iron Age The poem Ora Maritima, written by Avienius in the 4th century and based on the Massaliote Periplus of the 6th century BC, states that all of western Iberia was once called for the name of its people, the Oestrimini, which were replaced by an invasion of the Saephe or Ophis (meaning Serpent). From then on western Iberia would have been known as Ophiussa (Land of the Serpents). The poem probably translates the impact of the Second wave of Celtic migrations in the 7th century BC. The poem also describes the various ethnic groups present at that time: The Saephe or Ophis, today seen as probably Hallstatt culture Celts, in all of western Iberia (modern Portugal) between the Douro and the Sado rivers. The Cempsi, probably Hallstatt culture Celts, in the Tagus mouth and the south up to the Algarve. The Cynetes or Cunetes in the extreme south and some cities along the Atlantic coast (such as Olissipo, modern Lisbon), probably autochthonous Iberian (even if strongly or totally celticized over the next centuries). The Dragani, Celt or Proto-Celt of the first wave, in the mountainous areas of Galicia, northern Portugal, Asturias and Cantabria. The Lusis, probably a first reference to the Lusitanians, similar to the Dragani (Celt or Proto-Celt of the first wave).
5th century BC Development of a 2nd Castro culture in Galicia and northern Portugal. 4th century BC The Celtic Calaicians or Gallaeci inhabit all the region above the Douro river (modern Galicia and northern Portugal).
Gallaecia province of the Roman Empire 197 BC In a first attempt of a Roman provincial administration in Hispania, Gaius Sempronius Tuditanus and M. Helvius divide the peninsula into Hispania Ulterior and Hispania Citerior (the one actually controlled by Rome). These two provinces were to be ruled by Governors with a mandate of one year. Lusitania, Gallaecia and Asturias are included in the Roman province of Hispania Ulterior. 139 BC The Roman Senate deems Fabius Servilianus' actions unworthy of Rome, and sends Servilius Cipianus to defeat the rebellious tribes of Hispania. In Hispania Ulterior, Servilius Cipianus, with the aid of Marcus Pompilius Lenas' armies, severely defeat the Lusitanians and oblige Viriathus to take refuge north of the Tagus river and surrender hostages, such as his son's father-in-law, Astolpas. Servilius Cipianus armies also attack the Vettones and the Gallaecians. 138 BC First big Roman campaign deep inside present Portuguese territory led by Praetor Decimus Junius Brutus, governor of Hispania Ulterior. Decimus Junius Brutus, having at his back a pacified southern Lusitania (modern Alentejo and Algarve), established headquarters in the Valley of the Tagus (probably in the site of the Castle of Almourol) and had the allied city of Olissipo (modern Lisbon) fortified before advancing north, destroying settlements as he went. The city of Olissipo sends men to fight alongside the Roman legions against the Celtic tribes of the Northwest. 137 BC Praetor Decimus Junius Brutus advances further north, mainly along the coastline, and establishes a fortified position in the area of modern Viseu. The Roman legions cross the Douro river and enter the territory of the Gallaecians. The Roman legions reluctantly cross the Lima (Lethes) river, only after Decimus Junius Brutus crossed alone and called for them, thus proving he had not been caused to lose his memory. 136 BC Roman legions under Praetor Decimus Junius Brutus reach the Minho river, but do not cross it for fear of losing their memories. Decimus Junius Brutus lays siege and conquers the city of Talabriga, thus defeating the Gallaecians. After the military campaigns, the Roman legions departed south and left no garrisons. The Roman Senate grants Praetor Decimus Junius Brutus the title Callaicus for his campaigns in Gallaecia. 105–102 BC - After the Battle of Arausio, the Germanic Teutons and Cimbri plunder through all north Iberia as far as Gallaecia, before moving out and being defeated in the battles of Aquae Sextiae and Vercellae. 96–94 BC - Publius Licinius Crassus, Governor of Hispania Ulterior, leads a military expedition to the Northwest and finds the source mines of tin. 74 BC - Probable expedition to Cale (in Gallaecia, near the modern city of Porto?) promoted by Marcus Perperna Vento. 61 BC Julius Caesar is assigned to serve as the Propraetor governor of Hispania Ulterior. Julius Caesar attacks the Lusitanian areas between the Tagus and the Douro rivers, from his headquarters in Scallabis (modern Santarém). Julius Caesar personally conducts an important naval expedition to the shores of Gallaecia in which he would arrive to Brigantium (currently A Coruña). 60 BC - Julius Caesar wins considerable victories over the Gallaecians and Lusitanians. During one of his victories, his men hailed him as Imperator in the field, which was a vital consideration in being eligible for a triumph back in Rome. 27 BC January 16 - Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus becomes Roman Emperor as Caesar Augustus. Definitive end of the Roman Republic and establishment of the Roman Empire. The Roman general and politician Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa divides all Hispania into 3 parts, Lusitania, Baetica and Tarraconensis. The emperor Augustus returns to Hispania and makes a new administrative division, creating the province of Hispania Ulterior Lusitania, whose capital was to be Emerita Augusta (currently Mérida). Originally Lusitania included the territories of Asturias and Gallaecia, but these were later ceded to the jurisdiction of Provincia Tarraconensis and the former remained as Provincia Lusitania et Vettones. 28–24 BC Foundation of the Roman cities of Asturica Augusta (Astorga) and Bracara Augusta (Braga), to the north, and, to the south, Emerita Augusta (Mérida) (settled with the emeriti of the 5th and 10th legions). 3rd century Braga becomes an Episcopal Diocese. after 211- The Emperor Caracalla makes a new administrative division which lasts only a short time. He splits Hispania Citerior again into two parts, creating the new provinces Hispania Nova Citerior and Asturiae-Calleciae (the later under governor Cerealis). 238 - The unified province Tarraconensis or Hispania Citerior is reestablished. Asturias and Gallaecia are again part of it.
Suevi Kingdom of Gallaecia 409 - Invasion of the NW of the Iberian peninsula (the Roman Gallaecia) by the Germanic Suevi (Quadi and Marcomanni) under king Hermeric. The Suevic Kingdom eventually received official recognition (Foedus) from the Romans for their settlement there in Gallaecia. It was the first kingdom separated from the Roman Empire that minted coins. 411 - A treaty with Western Roman Emperor Flavius Augustus Honorius grants Lusitania to the Alans, Gallaecia to the Suevi and Hasdingi, and Baetica to the Silingi. 415 - Baquiário, priest of Braga, writes his work De fide, where he retracts from Priscillianism heresy. 417 - Balconius becomes bishop of Braga. 419 - The Hasdingi Vandals attack the Suevi, these resist with Roman aid. 428 - The Alans defeat the Suevi and the Romans at the Battle of Mérida. 438 - Hermeric, the first Suevi king of Gallaecia, ratified the peace with the Galaicos people and, tired of fighting, abdicated in favor of his son Rechila. 448 - Suevi king Rechila dies leaving a state in expansion to his son Rechiar who imposed his Catholic faith on the Suevi population. 454 - The Ibero-Roman population ask for the help of King Theodoric II of the Visigoths against Suevi incursions. 456 King Theodoric II of the Visigoths defeats the Suevi at the Battle of Orbigo and sacks their capital city Braga. Suevi king Rechiar is executed and some candidates for the throne appear, grouped in two factions, those who follow Frantán and those who follow Aguiulfo (dependent of the Visigoths). A division marked for the river Minius is noticed, probably a consequence of the two tribes, Quadi and Marcomanni, who constituted the Suevi nation. 457 - Maldras becomes king of all the Suevi. 459 - After the death of King Maldras of the Suevi, a new division appears between Frumar and Remismund. 463 - Remismund unites the Suevi and becomes king. 468 The Roman city of Conímbriga, near modern Coimbra, is sacked by the Suevi. Lusídio, Roman governor of Lisbon, delivers the city to the Suevi. 469 - Theodemund becomes King of the Suevi. 470 - King Euric of the Visigoths conquers southern Gallaecia and Lusitania to the Suevi. 501 - Council (Ecumenical Synod) of Braga. 550 Karriarico becomes King of the Suevi. Saint Martin of Dumes arrives in Suevish Gallaecia. Born in Pannonia, he was the foremost Iberian scholar of his time. He was given the church of Dume, where he built a monastery. 559 - Theodemar becomes King of the Suevi. 561 - Council (Ecumenical Synod) of Braga. The solemn conversion of the Suevi is proclaimed. 562 - Saint Martin of Dumes becomes Bishop of Braga.