Studying the forms of the Hispanic-Roman society one must take into consideration heterogeneity of the indigenous societies. Before the Roman period, these societies had undergone deep changes caused by contacts of varying intensity with the Eastern Mediterranean. Ethnic and cultural diversity characteristic of the Pyrenean Peninsula in the I mill. BC was further complicated by new factors during the Roman conquest and subsequent occupation. The Roman conquest worked in conformity with earlier cultural influences, but at the same time was connected with the evolution of power and society in the Roman Republic.

The author retraces the development of the Hispanic-Roman society underlining the role of immigration from Italy and integration of the indigenous population. He pays due attention to the essential difference between the North-West of the peninsula and the Mediterranean coast. Romanization did not necessarily imply urbanisation. Civitates could be just country centres co-ordinating communities in maintaining organic relations with the Empire, in tax collection and in exploiting manpower.

Romanization was not a linear process. On the whole it contributed to the consolidation of indigenous aristocracies regarded as an element of control over the population and territory. It was not until the end of the civil wars (which diversified provincial clienteles) and Augustus’ establishing himself as the head patron of all clienteles that the new ruling class of Spain became comparatively homogeneous and consolidated. As a part of the imperial community, the Hispanic-Roman society reached the peak of its development under the Flavian dynasty.