Hispania

Roman Cities

The Roman legacy in Spain is evident in its cities, many of which were founded as Roman colonies. Gary Arndt explains that cities like Zaragoza, Barcelona, Seville, and Valencia all have Roman origins, with Zaragoza originally named Caesar Augusta 1. The city of Merida, known for its well-preserved Roman ruins, showcases the extensive Roman infrastructure that still exists today.

The city of Zaragoza is the fifth largest city in Spain. It too was founded as a Roman colony with the name Caesar Augusta. Caesar Augusta became Zaraquesta in Arabic, which then became Zaragoza in Spanish.

--- Gary Arndt

Romanization brought wealth to Hispania through commerce, mining, and agriculture, leaving behind some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the world 1.

   

Roman Administration

Roman administration in Hispania evolved significantly over time. Initially, Hispania was a single province, but it was later divided into multiple provinces to better manage the region 2. Gary Arndt notes that by the end of the Western Roman Empire, Hispania was divided into nine provinces, reflecting its importance and complexity within the empire.

The single Roman province of Hispania was divided into two: Hispania Citerior and Hispania Ulterior. In 27 BC, Marcus Agrippa created a third province called Hispania Lusitana.

--- Gary Arndt

The creation of Roman colonies, often settled by veterans, played a crucial role in the Romanization of Hispania, transforming it culturally and economically 2.