Faro District

In Pre-Roman Portugal it was inhabited by the Cynetes (or Conii), a people (formed by several tribes) of linguistic and ethnic affiliation possibly Celtic or Iberian, whose territory included the modern area of the Beja District. This former territory of the Cysteines ran from the mouth of the Mira River all the way to the Guadiana River. It is possible that they were related to the Tartessos (people whose linguistic and ethnic affiliation is also not yet fully known or determined), but were not the same people.[1]

Roman baths at Praia da Luz, Lagos.

Before the definitive integration of the canons into the Roman Empire, during the period from about 200 BC to 141 BC they were under strong Roman influence but enjoyed a high degree of autonomy. In part, due to the favorably relationship with the Romans, the colonies had some conflicts with the Lusitanians who, under the leadership of Caucenus, the Lusitanian leader before Viriathus, had conquered their territory for some time, including the capital, Conistorgis (whose location is still not known, but is thought to be in modern-day Faro or Castro Marim) in 153BC. Partly due to this conflict with the Portuguese (and partly due to the cultural influence of Mediterranean civilizations), unlike many pre-Roman peoples of Portugal, they were allies of the Romans for some time and not their opponents, differing from the attitude of most of the other peoples, such as the Lusitanians who were strong opponents of the Romans.

Nevertheless, a while later, in the context of the Lusitanian Wars, in the year of 141BC, the Conidia revolted against the Roman Empire, along with the Turduli of Beturia (also called betures), but were quickly defeated by Quintus Fabius Maximus Servilianus, a Roman proconsul, and was definitively integrated into the Roman Empire.

Despite being conquered by the so-called barbarian peoples (Vandals, Alans, Suebi, and later Visigoths) at the time of Barbarian migrations or invasions, Roman culture and Christianity remained there for a period of time. In the year 552, the current area of Algarve was regained by the Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantine Empire (then governed by Emperor Justinian I), and appointed a government that lasted till the year 571, when King Liuvigild conquered it for the Visigothic Kingdom.