elpais.com
Sertorius: Myth and Reality in Late 19th-Century Spanish Textbooks
Spanish textbooks from the late 19th and early 20th centuries presented Roman general Quintus Sertorius as a symbol of Spanish resistance against Roman rule, mirroring Spain's own struggles during the 1898 crisis, a narrative contradicted by archaeological findings revealing the devastating scale of Sertorius's Roman civil war in Hispania.
- What discrepancies exist between the historical reality of Sertorius's war in Hispania and its portrayal in Spanish educational materials?
- Historians like Modesto Lafuente and Juan de Mariana reinforced this image, depicting Sertorius as a 'brave Spaniard' fighting for liberation. This narrative resonated deeply with a nation grappling with internal conflict and colonial losses, providing a powerful national symbol.
- How did the portrayal of Roman general Quintus Sertorius in late 19th and early 20th century Spanish textbooks reflect the socio-political climate of Spain?
- The Spanish Civil War (1873-1876) and the subsequent loss of Cuba in 1898 profoundly impacted Spanish national identity. School textbooks from the late 19th and early 20th centuries portrayed the Roman general Quintus Sertorius as a symbol of Spanish resistance against Roman oppression, mirroring Spain's own struggles.
- How has the romanticized image of Sertorius and other similar figures influenced the perception of Iberian resistance to Roman rule and broader European historical narratives?
- Archaeological evidence, however, reveals a drastically different reality. Sertorius's war in Hispania was a brutal Roman civil war causing unprecedented devastation, with widespread destruction and mass casualties, including the torture of women and children. This contrasts sharply with the heroic image presented in school texts.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing emphasizes the contrast between the romanticized view of Sertorius in Spanish textbooks and the brutal realities revealed by modern archaeology. This framing, while effective in highlighting the historical inaccuracies, might unintentionally present a biased portrayal of earlier historical interpretations as entirely misguided or naive. The article's structure leads the reader towards accepting the author's interpretation as the definitive truth, without fully exploring alternative viewpoints.
Language Bias
The language is generally neutral, although terms like "desolation and horror" and "inconceivable and brutal tortures" might be considered emotionally charged. However, given the subject matter – a violent war – such terms could be considered appropriate within the context of describing the archaeological findings. The author uses loaded language when describing the Astérix comics, which serves to undermine the romanticized view of Celtic warriors as portrayed in the comics.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the interpretations of Sertorius's role in history, particularly those from the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Spanish textbooks and later interpretations by Schulten. It mentions the archaeological evidence of brutality during the Sertorian Wars but doesn't delve into details of the methodology or specific findings. There's a lack of exploration of alternative interpretations of Sertorius's motives or the complexities of the political landscape of the time. The omission of the perspectives of other contemporary historians or sources could limit the reader's ability to form a fully informed opinion.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a dichotomy between the idealized image of Sertorius as a symbol of Spanish resistance in early 20th-century Spanish textbooks and the reality of a Roman general fighting a civil war. While this contrast is valuable, it simplifies the complexities of Sertorius's motivations and the diverse perspectives on his historical role. The depiction of the conflict as solely a Roman civil war on Spanish soil neglects the significant involvement and impact on the native Iberian populations.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article reveals how 19th and early 20th-century Spanish schoolbooks misrepresented the historical figure of Sertorius, presenting a biased and inaccurate portrayal of his role in Roman-Hispanic history. This falsification of historical events in educational materials is detrimental to providing students with a factual and comprehensive understanding of history. The propagation of such inaccurate historical narratives can lead to a distorted perception of the past and hinder the development of critical thinking skills.