Why did the Romans have difficulty governing Sardinia?

The Romans faced significant challenges in governing Sardinia primarily due to persistent resistance and instability. Following the island's annexation, native tribes engaged in repeated insurrections, such as those in 181 and 114 BCE, which required brutal military campaigns to suppress.1

Even after the island was established as a province, it remained difficult to control. The region was plagued by widespread brigandage and banditry, which persisted well into the imperial period. Furthermore, the frequent administrative shifts—alternating between the Senate and imperial control under various officials like prefects and procurators—highlight the ongoing struggle to maintain order and stability. These disturbances were significant enough that the island was often utilized as a place of exile, reflecting its status as a difficult and often unruly territory within the Roman Empire.1