The Basques (Peoples of Europe)

This edition of Collin's history of the Basques includes a substantial new chapter on the recent history of the Basques. He places their struggle for indentity and self-determination within the context of the past 2000 years, and aims to show that to a large extent this has finally been achieved within the democratic Spain which has proceeded the death of Franco. Among all former pre-Indo-European peoples, the Basques alone have been able to resist cultural assimilation by their larger and more powerful neighbours and to retain a distinct language. Yet, the Basques have failed to develop any sense of political unity. Drawing upon a wide range of archaeological and historical evidence, this study, examines the origins of these people. The author focuses on the crucial period extending from the Roman Conquest of the Iberian peninisula to the late 12th century.