Roman Society, Public Works, and the Romanization of Murcia

Roman Social Structure and Citizenship

Excluding slaves (who were often citizens of conquered towns captured during uprisings), Roman society was broadly divided into two main classes:

• Honestiores: Comprising large landowners, wealthy businessmen, and members of urban oligarchies.
• Humiliores: Including modest peasants and city artisans.

Until the first century AD, only a minority of Roman and Italic settlers possessed full political and property rights.

Between the status of slaves and free men were the freedmen (liberti), who were slaves granted freedom but often remained dependent on their former master (patronus).

Architectural Legacy: Roman Public Works

One of Rome's primary legacies was the extensive construction of public works. These urban constructions were designed to meet the essential needs of city dwellers and serve as symbols of Roman strength and engineering prowess. The most important types of structures included:

• Defensive Walls: Such as those found in Lugo.
• Aqueducts: Exemplified by the Aqueduct of Segovia.
• Bridges: Including the impressive Bridge of Alcántara.
• Memorial Arches: Like the Arch of Medinaceli.
• Temples and Religious Sites: For example, the Temple of Diana in Mérida.
• Amphitheaters: Such as the one located in Italica.
• Theaters and Circuses: Major examples are found in Mérida, Cartagena, and Sagunto.

The Romanization of the Murcia Region

The Conquest of Carthago Nova

The Roman presence in the region began early in the Second Punic War with the capture of Qart Hadasht (later renamed Carthago Nova). Although this city was strategically well-defended due to its military importance, it was taken by the Romans with relative ease.

Following the defeat of Carthage, the territory that now constitutes the Murcia region came under Roman rule, and the process of Romanization began immediately.

However, indigenous cultural forms persisted within the region, especially in areas distant from major Roman roadways and military posts. By the end of the Republic, the entire region was heavily Romanized. Carthage received the prestigious title of a colony under Caesar (Colonia Iulia Urbs Carthago Nova).

Due to excellent communications, notably the Via Augusta, Carthago Nova attracted a high proportion of Roman and Latino residents, establishing it as one of the largest cities in Hispania and later throughout the Western Empire.

Other Settlements and Rural Life

Other important settlements included Cieza and the Straits of the Incarnation in Caravaca, as well as Lorca, which had both Iberian and Roman foundations. However, the majority of the population remained rural, residing in scattered farms and villas.

Regarding the area of the current capital, Murcia, archaeological evidence has only revealed remains of Roman villas and agricultural farms surrounding it. This suggests that any pre-Muslim settlement in the location of modern Murcia must have been relatively minor.