The Defensive Walls of Carthago Nova: History and Archaeology

Sebastian F. Ramallo Asensio (Universidad de Murcia)

"Militum deinde quod eos non conlaudavit virtutem eruptio hostium, non altitudo moenium, Stagni inexplorata non vada, non castellum in high Tumulo situm, non munitissima arx deterruisset quo minus transcenderent omnia perrumperentque."

(T. Livy, XXVI, 48, 4)

This text from Livy's History of Rome clearly expresses components of the defensive apparatus of the city founded by Hasdrubal: the height of its walls, the unexplored shallow lagoon, the fortress located on a high hill, and the well-defended citadel. These components, coupled with the excellent conditions of its harbor and its strategic position on communication routes to Africa and Italy through the Balearic Islands (Appian, 19), made Carthago Nova one of the most hotly contested cities of antiquity. As the Roman historian himself emphasizes (XXVI, 43) while transcribing Scipio's speech to his soldiers, the conquest of the city was essential for the expulsion of the Barcids from Hispania: "...oppugnabitis enim unius urbis moenia uere, sed in a city uniuersam ceperitis Hispaniam."

The Fortified Character of Cartagena

The character of Cartagena as a fortified place in antiquity has been fossilized in the archaeological map. Three distinct statements, corresponding to different natures and periods, define its history:

• The Barcid period (3rd century BC): The oldest phase, involving major refurbishment of the town.
• The Roman period (2nd century BC): The second phase, following the recapture of the town.
• The Byzantine period: The third phase, known through epigraphic and literary sources.

Carthago Nova is probably the Roman city in Hispania with the greatest number of written references regarding its walls. This extensive documentation covers not only the stages of conquest and monumental renewal in the Augustan age but extends to the period of Byzantine domination, with the inscription of Comitiolus—a unique testimony to the imperial presence in the Iberian Peninsula. Along with artificial fortifications, natural constraints constitute the primary defensive barrier of the city.

Topography and the Lagoon

The most distinctive profile of this unique topography is the lagoon or estuary—limne, according to Polybius—which covered an area north twice the size of the city. Its limits can be fixed with certainty thanks to the discovery of the necropolis that lined the access roads. On the western edge, it ran parallel to the current Alameda de San Antón, indicated by cremation remains discovered in the Plaza de España (San Martín, 1985, 133). On the opposite side, the necropolis of the Via Torre Ciega flanked the almarjal, while to the north, a series of low-lying hills imposed the limit to the water. Although a detailed study of the inlet profile is incomplete, its depth must have been considerable in some places, reaching nearly 3 meters. This explains the existence of remarkable fishing gear found in Punic levels, endorsing Livy's statement regarding fishermen who provided Scipio with information to plan the assault through the shallows.

Urban Dimensions and Perimeter

The walled city was built on a peninsula of land with a maximum length of approximately 892 meters and a width of 642 meters, reducing to 321 meters at the isthmus. The total surface area, including the five hills, was about 43 hectares—very close to the 47 hectares of Corduba or 40 of Tarraco, but far below the 70 hectares calculated for Emerita Augusta. Polybius, who claimed to have personally examined the perimeter, estimated it at no more than 20 stadia (c. 3,700 m), though he noted others claimed 40. A wall encompassing all features would have a maximum of 2,569 meters.

Material Evidence

Until recently, there was no material evidence of these walls. However, in the late eighties, near the Milagrosa Home-School (Cerro de San José), a stretch of wall was uncovered, oriented north-south, closing the narrow strip of land between the hills of San José and Despeñaperros. Analysis of the archaeological record associated with the walls allowed it to be related to the assault by Scipio at the end of the 3rd century BC.

Wall Description

This wall, with a preserved stretch of 15 meters and an elevation of up to 3.20 meters, is built with a double lining of sandstone blocks in opus africanum style. These determine internal compartments of approximately 3.5 x 3 meters, intended to accommodate the guard or store weapons. The elevation was likely made of large bricks, and both surfaces were covered with white lime plaster to protect the stone and provide a homogeneous finish.

The Augustan Wall

Despite numerous archaeological remains, the next phase in the history of the walls corresponds to the Triumviral period and the early years of Augustus, closely related to the city's colonial status. Carthago Nova is the city with the largest number of inscriptions related to the construction of its walls. The rebuilding was a consequence of the legal promotion of the city, with the title Colonia Iulia Urbs Karthago Nova reflecting its importance. The construction and maintenance of these walls were public enterprises, as reflected in municipal legislation like the Lex Ursonensis.

Conclusion

With the monumental urban transformation started in the 30s BC, the city broke with its past, joining the cast of great cities endowed with complex theatrical devices in the service of power. The importance of the city is explicitly reflected in its name, Colonia Iulia Urbs Karthago Nova, a distinction shared with Tarraco, marking its role as a key center in the western Mediterranean.