The Land of the ilergets

The Ilerget tribe was one of the most important of the Iber people, as it controlled a large part of the present day comarques of El Segrià, La Noguera, L’Urgell, Les Garrigues (Spain) and the western territories of Aragon. Their lands were well suited for growing cereals and for pastures and this territory was structured around the cities of Iltirta and Atanagrum, which served as its capitals. Although the original locations of these two settlements are unknown, it is thought that Iltirta probably occupied the site of the present city of Lleida. From classical sources, and particularly Polibi and Titus Livi, we know that Iltirta was very actively involved in the wars associated with the Roman conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. Furthermore, the revolt against Roman rule led by two Ilerget princes or chiefs, Indíbil and Mandoni, provides an insight into the complex political organisation of this tribe.