In the 3rd century BC, Rome started its conquest of the Iberian
Peninsula, but focusing only their strength there after the end of
Punic Wars. The invasion progressed quite well in its initial phases,
conquering most of the peninsulae with relative ease.

The consul Servius Sulpicius Galba commanded the Roman troops in 
Iberia circa 150 BC and started destroying the rest of the Lusitan 
resistance. Fearing the destruction of their lands, the Lusitans sent 
an embassy to him. Galba received the Lusitan embassy politely, 
suspended the offensive and promised to give lands to the Lusitanian 
people.

The offer turned out to be a trap. When the unarmed Lusitanians tried 
to reclaim the lands promised by Galba, a massacre happened and many 
were killed. Viriathus was among those who escaped.

Viriathus never forgot the Roman treachery. Later, when some 
Lusitanian leaders prepared to make a new agreement with the Romans 
after a major loss of lives to the Roman army, Viriathus reminded 
them of Galba's trick and proposed a Lusitanian War against the 
Romans. The Lusitanians cried with joy.

Viriathus organized an attack against enemy's legions. Since the 
Romans were better armed, he organized guerrilla tactics and sprung 
imaginative ambushes. Charging with iron spears, short swords and 
roars, the Lusitanians clashed and defeated many enemy armies, 
keeping Iberia Peninsula free from Roman control.