History Cartagena, Spain

1 history

1.1 ancient history
1.2 middle ages
1.3 modern history
1.4 present

history


ancient history

carthaginian walls of carthago nova (spain) 3rd century bc

the town named mastia. possessing 1 of best harbors in western mediterranean, re-founded carthaginian general hasdrubal in 228 bc qart hadasht ( new city ), identically named carthage, purpose of serving stepping-off point conquest of spain. roman general scipio africanus conquered in 209 bc , renamed carthago nova (literally new new city ) distinguish mother city. julius caesar gave town latin rights, , octavian renamed in honor colony colonia victrix iulia nova carthago or colonia vrbs iulia nova carthago (c. v. i. n. c.) depending on source. city relevant both in carthaginian , roman conquest of iberian peninsula. in 298 ad, diocletian constituted new roman province in hispania called carthaginensis , settled capital in city. remained important until sacked vandals in 435 ad.

during roman period, site of major silver mines, yielding daily revenue of 25,000 drachmae. known production of garum, fermented fish sauce, , esparto grass granted new name, cartago spartaria.

middle ages

the demise , fall western roman sovereignty caused city go decline. occupied successively vandals (409–425), visigoths (425–551 , 624–714) , eastern romans (551–624), made capital of spania (the byzantine empire s westernmost province). cartagena re-conquered visigoths, held until muslim conquest in 714 ad, when called qartayannat-al-halfa. subsequently ruled umayyads (714–756), caliphate of cordova (756–1031), taifa of denia (1031–1076), taifa of saragossa (1076–1081), taifa of tortosa (1081–1092), almoravids (1092–1145), almohads (1145–1229) , taifa of murcia (1229–1245). king alfonso x of castile (alfonso wise) conquered cartagena in 1245; reestablished christian rule , bishopric of cartagena. in 1270, alfonso created order of santa maría de españa naval defense of crown of castile , established headquarters in cartagena. in 1296, cartagena annexed kingdom of aragon reconquista focused on remaining muslim kingdom, granada, fell in 1492. cartagena entered period of great decadence , decay, despite short economic revival in 16th century, because spain s colonial activities used ports west. cartagena didn’t recover until 18th century, when became leading naval port in mediterranean.

modern history

on 3 september 1643, french led grand admiral jean armand de maillé-brézé defeated of spain s fleet here.

in 1728, cartagena became capital of spanish navy s maritime department of mediterranean , city heavily fortified construction of modern castle in place of former moorish kasbah, several barracks , huge arsenal. in relatively short period of time, population of city grew around 10,000 50,000 inhabitants.

in 1757, during 7 years war, french naval force forced take shelter in port. squadron under duquesne sent reinforce them attacked , defeated british squadron under henry osborn @ battle of cartagena.

in 1873, city established self-governing government , become center of cantonal revolution. governmental forces besieged city several months until surrendered.

during spanish civil war (1936–1939), cartagena main base of spanish republican navy , 1 of primary strongholds of republican government. held out against forces of general francisco franco longer other city in spain, being last of cities surrender. city saw industrial activity increased during 1950s, resulting in more prosperity , trend continued until general decline in manufacturing throughout europe in late 1980s , 1990s.

present

at moment, cartagena comprises part of autonomous community of region of murcia, , seat of regional assembly of murcia. capital of maritime province of cartagena, granted royal decree of 5 october 1607 under reign of philip iii.