Tarraco - The City During The High Empire

The City During The High Empire

In 68 D.C. Galba, who lived eight years in Tarraco, was proclaimed emperor in Clunia Sulpicia. Under Vespasian began a reorganization of the precarious finances of the state. According to Pliny this allowed to grant Latin citizenship to the inhabitants of Hispania. The Spanish territory, which since ancient times consisted of urban areas and a land divided by tribal organizations, was transformed in areas that were organized around urban centers of all, whether in colonies or municipalities, facilitating the tax collection. A rapid increase in construction could be due to the reorganization of the province. During this period were probably built the amphitheater, the temple area and the provincial forum on top of the city. Between 70 and 180 D.C. most of the statues were placed at these locations.

Under the emperor Trajan was appointed patron of the city Senator Lucius Licinius Sura. Sura originated from the Tarraconensis and reached the highest offices of state. Probably in the winter 122-123 D.C. Hadrian visited the city and held in it a conventus for Hispania. In addition, rebuilt the temple of Augustus.

With the end of the 2nd century began in Tarraco clear economic difficulties. Few statues were built in honor of the city, probably due to the lack of financiación. This period also saw the defeat of the struggle against the emperor Clodius Albinus, whose supporters was the governor of the Tarraconensis Novio Lucius Rufo. Disappear from the inscriptions dedicated to Provinciae Concilium and appear increasingly inscriptions dedicated to military personnel. Thereafter there was less influential merchants in the ordo decurionum (civil administration) and more patroni (large landowners and public senior officials). Severus rebuilt the temple of Augustus (Elagabulus) in the amphitheater, as evidenced by an inscription of the fund.