What is viriathus?

Viriathus was a Lusitanian leader who led a resistance movement against the Roman occupation of the Iberian Peninsula in the 2nd century BC. He is considered a national hero in Portugal and Spain for his role in defending the indigenous peoples against Roman aggression.

Viriathus emerged as a leader of the Lusitanian people during the Roman conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. He organized a guerrilla warfare campaign against the Roman forces, using hit-and-run tactics to disrupt their supply lines and communications.

Under Viriathus's leadership, the Lusitanians were able to defeat several Roman armies and maintain their independence for a significant period of time. However, internal rivalries and treachery among his own people eventually led to his assassination in 139 BC.

Despite his untimely death, Viriathus is remembered as a courageous and skillful military leader who stood up against the might of the Roman Empire. He has been immortalized in literature, art, and folklore as a symbol of resistance and bravery in the face of oppression.