Tarraco: Roman Power and Legacy in Ancient Hispania

Tarraco: Rome's Strategic Hub in Hispania

The Punic Wars and Roman Arrival

In 218 BC, Hannibal conquered Saguntum, a town allied to Rome, violating the Ebro Treaty. This act ignited the Second Punic War. While Hannibal marched towards Italy, Rome surprisingly dispatched an army under Publius Cornelius Scipio to Hispania, aiming to disrupt Carthaginian supply lines. The Roman army landed in Empúries and advanced against the Carthaginian base. Subsequently, Rome established a winter camp at what would become Tarraco.

The Punic War on Hispanic soil lasted 12 years, during which Tarraco, serving as a vital military camp, experienced continuous activity. For Rome, Tarraco became the primary headquarters on the Iberian Peninsula. In 217 BC, a second Roman army, led by Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio Calvus (brother of Publius), landed at Tarraco's port. The war continued until both Scipio brothers died in combat in 211 BC. A new army, led by Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus (son and nephew of the previous Scipios), landed in Tarraco. Scipio Africanus achieved the conquest of New Carthage (Cartagena), causing the flight of Punic troops from the peninsula.

Establishing Roman Hispania and Provincial Reorganization

After the war, Rome faced the task of organizing the administration of all the newly conquered territories. In 197 BC, it was decided to create two new provinces: Hispania Ulterior and Hispania Citerior. For two centuries, Tarraco's role was largely defined by its involvement in border conflicts.

Civil Strife and Imperial Patronage

The 1st century BC witnessed new civil conflicts that ultimately disrupted the Roman Republic. In 73 BC, one of the last battles between Roman army troops and the Senate took place around Tarraco. In 49 BC, the city provided crucial support to Julius Caesar, who was facing Pompeian forces led by Afranius and Petreius near Ilerda.

In 27 BC, Octavian received the title of Augustus from the Senate. At the end of that year, Augustus personally led a campaign against the Astures and Cantabrians. However, severe health problems and the harshness of the campaign forced him to retreat to Tarraco. The city was significantly enriched by the emperor's presence and patronage.

Urban Transformation and Romanization

During Augustus' reign, the two existing provinces of Hispania were reorganized into three: Hispania Citerior (which Tarraco remained part of), Lusitania, and Baetica (formerly Hispania Ulterior). The Tarraco area was bordered to the north by Barcino (Barcelona), and to the south and west by the Ebro Delta (Dertosa) and Ilerda (Lleida).

The Roman colony of Tarraco invested substantial sums in its architecture and infrastructure. Efforts were made to:

• Restore and strengthen the city walls.
• Monumentalize the city gates.
• Improve the water supply system.
• Promote a network of sewers for efficient waste disposal.

A grand public forum was constructed, and the main public buildings were erected, including a theater, a circus, and an amphitheater. Public baths and dedicated meeting places for the recreation of the populace were also established. Furthermore, the main roads were reshaped, significantly facilitating communications. The ancient Via Heraclea was notably transformed into the vital Via Augusta.