Tarraco During The Roman Republic
During the following centuries Tarraco constitutes a supply and camp base of winter during the wars against the Celtiberians, as occurred during the Second Punic War. So it is a military presence in this period, possibly in the highest area of the current Old Town. In 197 B.C., the conquered areas, even narrow strips along the coast of Spain were divided between the new provinces of Hispania Ulterior and Hispania Citerior. The capital of Hispania Citerior was mainly Carthago Nova. But Strabo says that the governors not only resided in Carthago Nova but also in Tarraco.
It is not entirely clear about the legal status of Tarraco. It was probably organized as conventus civium Romanorum (convent = meeting of Roman citizens of the province) during the republic, with two magistri (civilian directors) in head. Gaius Porciu Cato, consul of the year 114 B.C., chose Tarraco as place of his exile in the year 108. indicating that Tarraco was a free city or perhaps ally at that time.
According to Strabo one of the most recent fighting took place not far from Tarraco. When Caesar beat supporters of Pompey in 49 a. C. in Ilerda (Lleida), Tarraco supported his army with foods. It is not entirely clear whether Tarraco received status of colony by Caesar or Augustus, but current research tends to assume that was the first who gave that status after his victory in Munda.
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