Mistophoroi (mercenaries) of the Ilergetes in the 4th century B.C.: the example of horses’ graves in the necropolis of La Pedrera (Vallfogona de Balaguer-Térmens, Catalonia, Spain)

Abstract

Two graves of horses discovered in the interior of Catalonia in the northeast of the Iberian peninsula are examined here with regard to their rich metal grave-goods. These inventories differ from the spectrum usually
found in the northeast of the Iberian peninsula especially in their variety: military equipment, pieces of harness, decorative elements and tools for the funerary meal. The assemblages consist of a sickle-shaped sword from the southeast of the Iberian peninsula, a La Tène sword, a Celtic iron helmet from the northern Alpine region, two bronze horse-muzzles of the Apulian-Macedonian type, two iron bits of Celtic form, a bronze situla made in southern Italy etc. But, since no significant trade was carried out in the region at that time, the assemblages could not have come about through barter. They could, however, be connected with the participation of Iberian mercenaries in the major wars of the Mediterranean. The origin of these assemblages could be explained by Iberians taking part in different battles together with foreign mercenaries (Celts, Campanians, Iberians from the southeast, Greeks etc.) and through the assimilation of Mediterranean characteristics, such as the hoarding of weapons from various places. Thus, the burials identified correspond to the first graves of mercenary leaders of the 4th century B.C. in the Iberian peninsula. The assemblages confirm the many passages in ancient authors concerning the participation of Iberian mercenaries and the documentation of two further features in Castilsabás (Huesca) and the cemetery of El Castillo (Navarre). Both delineate an area which was settled by the equites of the Turma
Salluitana later mentioned on the bronze tablet from Ascoli (1st century B.C.). This mercenary service appearing in the major Mediterranean battles can be supplemented by the sources on the Second Punic War.
Accordingly, the leaders of the Ilergetes distributed their troops following a classic scheme and were in the position to assemble a large number of horsemen and foot-soldiers, which points to a complex network within the whole territory between southern Navarre and the River Segre. This investigation consists of three parts: 1. The documentation of the cemetery, of the horses and the assemblages belonging to them; 2. An analysis of the mercenaries’ coins as an interactive connection between
the territories and the communities and as a factor for the origin of the assemblages discovered in the cemetery of La Pedrera; 3. Finally, a comparison of the data, in order to understand the case of the mercenaries (mistophoroi) of La Pedrera in an area, where mercenary service was established.