Sagunto

Sagunto (sägOOn'tō) [key], Latin Saguntum, town (1990 pop. 58,135), Valencia prov., E Spain, on the Palencia River, in Valencia. A seaport on the Mediterranean, it is an important metallurgical center, with iron and steel foundries. Saguntum was an ally of Rome when it was besieged and captured (219–218 B.C.) by the Carthaginians under Hannibal. This led to the Second Punic War (see Punic Wars). Saguntum was conquered by the Romans (214 B.C.) and made a municipium. On a ridge above the present city are important Roman remains, notably a well-preserved theater. The city fell to the Moors and was called Murviedro until its old name was restored in 1877. In 1874 the restoration of the Spanish Bourbon dynasty was proclaimed there.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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