Numantia

NUMA´NTIA(Νουμαντία, Ptol. 2.6.56; Νομαντία, Steph. B. s. v.), the capital of the Arevaci in Hispania Tarraconensis, and the most famous city in all Celtiberia, according to Strabo (3. p. 162) and Mela (2.6). Pliny however (3.3. s. 4), places it in the territory of the Pelendones, which also agrees with the Itin. Ant. (p. 442). It is represented as situated on an eminence of mode-rate height, but great steepness, and approachable only on one side, which was defended by ditches and intrenchments. (Flor. 2.18; Oros. 5.7; Appian, B. Hisp. 76, 91.) The Durius flowed near it, and also another small river, whose name is not mentioned. (Appian, B. Hisp. 76; Dio Cass. Fr. 82, ed. Fabr. 1. p. 35.) It was on the road from Asturica to Caesaraugusta ( (Itin. Ant. l. c. ), and had a circumference of 24 stadia (Appian, B. Hisp. 90; Oros. l. c.); but was not surrounded with walls. (Florus, l. c,) Its, memorable siege and destruction by Scipio Africanus, B.C. 134, are related by Appian (48—98), Eutropius (Eutrop. 4.17), Cicero ( de Off. 1.11), Strabo (l. c.), &c. The ruins at Puente de Don Guarrayprobably mark the site of this once famous city. (Aldrete, Ant. Hisp. 1.6; Florez, Esp. S. 7. p. 276; D'Anville, Mém. de l'Acad. des Inscr. vol. 40. p. 770, cited by Ukert, vol. ii. pt. 1 p. 455.)
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