Sagunto

Sagunto (ancient Saguntum), town in eastern Spain, in Valencia autonomous region and province, near the city of Valencia. Sagunto is noted for its agricultural produce, particularly vegetable oil, wine, and brandy.

Founded by Greek colonists, the town 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 (Roman municipality), and its citizens spoke Latin. In the early 8th century ad the Moors captured the town and called it Murbiter (later changed to Murviedro); it was renamed Sagunto in 1877. Roman remains in Sagunto include a bridge and a superb theatre. Population 62,702 (2006 estimate).