Cantabrian mercenaries appeared in the army of Hannibal during the Second Punic War. Roman historians recorded their presence alongside the Vaccaei in 151 BC. These troops helped break the Roman siege of Numantia years before the main conflict began. Julius Caesar noted Cantabrians at the battle of Ilerda in 49 BC. The Astures entered historical records as Iberian mercenaries in Hasdrubal Barca's army at the Metaurus River in 207 BC. Roman forces lost one of their standards to these northern peoples, an event considered extremely grave. Such disasters embarrassed Rome and justified later campaigns as retribution for incursions into the Meseta Central. Yet sources suggest a desire for Asturian gold and Cantabrian iron drove the conquest as well.
Augustus Personal Campaign
Emperor Augustus moved to Segisama in 26 BC to supervise the campaign personally. This location corresponds to modern Sasamon in Burgos. Ten years of war and eight legions were required to subdue the region. Major fighting concluded in 19 BC, though minor rebellions persisted until 16 BC. Augustus had to retire to Tarragona after a year due to illness. The conflict lasted longer than the seven-year conquest of Gaul by the Romans. It remained one of only two campaigns directed personally by Augustus against barbarians. The other campaign targeted the Illyrians from 35 to 33 BC. Despite victories, the Romans stationed two legions there for seventy more years.Guerrilla Tactics And Armaments
Cantabri used guerrilla warfare tactics to avoid direct attacks on superior Roman numbers. Their knowledge of mountainous terrain allowed quick surprise strikes with ranged weapons. Ambushes followed by rapid retreats caused great damage to Roman columns and supply lines. Coins and stelae show they were skilled in light arms. Lucan wrote that the Cantabrian carried short weapons while the Teuton carried long ones. They wielded short swords, daggers, spears, javelins, lances, round shields, and leather chest protection. A double-headed battle axe called the bipennis was specific to northern Hispania peoples. Light cavalry formations included the circulus cantabricus, a circular formation of javelin-throwing horsemen. Flavius Arrianus described the cantabricus impetus as a massive frontal attack to breach enemy lines.