Asido Caesarina

Abstract

In Roman times the city of Medina Sidonia –province of Cádiz– was the colony Asido Caesarina, mentioned by Pliny in a well-known quote which describes some of the cities located in the lower Guadalquivir valley: ... at inter aestuaria Baetis oppidum Nabrissa cognomina Veneria et Colobana [Conobaria], coloniae Hasta quae Regia dicitur et in mediterraneo Asido quae Caesarina (NH 3, 1, 11). The settlement of Medina Sidonia owes its origin to strategic factors such as its geographical location and position on the highest surrounding elevation. In particular, the summit of Cerro del Castillo had already been occupied by the Tartessians in the Late Bronze Age and during the Punic-Turdetanian era as a defensive bastion and, possibly, as a sacred area. The same uses of this elevation will also be continued by the Romans.