Roman Hispania

Castulo

Today: Linares, Spain

Years: 206 BCE–409
Role: Capital of Oretania

The Ibero-Roman city that was the head of Oretania, on a walled plateau five kilometres south of Linares, beside the lead and silver mines of the Sierra Morena. Its aristocracy made a pact with Scipio Africanus in the last years of the 3rd century BCE: the city stayed free and immune and kept its institutions in exchange for taking a garrison and providing troops. It was abandoned in the 15th century, and today it has a visitor centre and a car park.

What to see today

Conjunto arqueológico de Cástulo (Castulo): Archaeological site, 1st to 2nd century

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