Scalabis

Scalabis
Santarem Castle hill, original fortified area of Scallabi Castrum
Conventus iuridicus in Hispania

Scallabis (also Scallabi Castrum, Præsidium Iulium, Scallabis Praesidium Iulium or Colonia Scallabis Iulia) was the Roman name of Santarém, Portugal.

Contents

History

The first documented human occupation dates from the VIII century BC[1]. There is also evidence of trade with the Phoenicians, due to it's location as a commercial outpost on the Tagus river.

The Romans arrived at this region in 138 BC, and peacefully settled on the city, then going by the name of Scallabis, and limited to the fortified area currently known as Alcáçova de Santarém.

A latter designation was "Scallabis Praesidium Iulium", given by Julius Caesar in 61 BC[2], with the installation of a military camp next to the previous fortifications.[3][4] Most of the citizens were then inscribed in the Sergia roman gentes.

The city became one of the most important administrative centers of the Lusitania province in the I century AD, as head of a Conventus iuridicus, the Conventus Scallabitanus that included cities such as Olisipo, Seilium and Conimbriga[2]. It was connect by important roads to Olisipo, Bracara Augusta and was the place of a Tagus river crossing.

With the Alan and Vandal invasions, the city became know as "Sancta Irene", the root of the current name "Santarém".

Archeology

Archaeological work in the Alcáçova de Santarém area has identified a Roman temple with a podium of about 15 by 15 meters, and part of the cella, dating from the I century BC (probably a Capitolium).Coordinates: 39°14′06″N 8°40′34″W / 39.235105°N 8.676233°W / 39.235105; -8.676233[5][6] A theatre and baths from that period were also identified.

External Links

References

  1. ^ http://www.museu-santarem.org/multimedia/Documentos/memorias_descritivas/memdescritiva_jardimportasol.pdf
  2. ^ a b http://www.igespar.pt/media/uploads/trabalhosdearqueologia/26/7.pdf
  3. ^ "CРmara Municipal de Santarжm - Histзria e Geografia". Ribatejo.com. http://www.ribatejo.com/ecos/santarem/sthistor.html. Retrieved 2011-10-28. 
  4. ^ "Santarem (Portugal) - Britannica Online Encyclopedia". Britannica.com. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/523184/Santarem. Retrieved 2011-10-28. 
  5. ^ http://repositorio.ul.pt/bitstream/10451/429/1/17985_Vol_I.pdf
  6. ^ "Monumentos". Monumentos.pt. http://www.monumentos.pt/Site/APP_PagesUser/SIPA.aspx?id=4600. Retrieved 2011-10-28. 
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