Sagunto (ancient Saguntum), city in eastern Spain, in Valencia autonomous region and province, near the city of Valencia. Sagunto is noted for its agricultural products, particularly vegetable oil, wine, and brandies.
Founded by Greek colonists, the city was an ally of Rome during the Punic Wars. Carthage was bound by treaty to respect the city's independence, but in 219 and 218 BC, the Carthaginian general Hannibal attacked and captured the city. This incident led to the Second Punic War. Saguntum was conquered by the Romans in 214 BC, after which time it was administered as a municipium, or Roman municipality, and its citizens spoke Latin. In the early 8th century AD the Moors captured the city and called it Murbiter (later changed to Murviedro); it was renamed Sagunto in 1877. Roman ruins of a bridge, a theater, and fortifications are in Sagunto. Population (1998 estimate) 56,607.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Sagunto Information info
|
