Battle of the Tagus (153 BC)

Before the consul Quintus Fulvius Nobilior could arrive with his forces, a significant engagement occurred on the right bank of the Tagus River between the Roman praetor Lucius Mummius and the Lusitanians, now led by Caesarus after Punicus's death. Initially, the Romans gained success, breaking the Lusitanian army and capturing their camp. However, Roman forces, already fatigued from their march and disorganized during the pursuit, were caught off guard. The Lusitanians, despite their earlier defeat, managed to rally and turned the tide of the battle. In the end, the Romans suffered a crushing defeat, losing their camp and 9,000 men.^[1][2]

After their victory, the Lusitanians crossed the Tagus and attacked the Cunei and conquered their town, Conistorgis.^[2][3] They sent the captured Roman standards to the Celtiberians, urging them to join the rebellion. This message ignited further unrest, particularly among the Celtiberian tribes. The Romans, now faced with a growing coalition of native tribes, were forced to reconsider their strategy in Iberia, leading to the eventual deployment of additional forces under Consul Quintus Fulvius Nobilior to regain control of the region.^[3]

• Mommsen, Theodor (1891). The History of Rome. Vol. 3. C. Scribner.
• Alexandria, Appianus (1912–1913). Appian's Roman history. Vol. 1. Harvard University Press.