Saguntum

, or Saguntus , a town of Hispania Tar racon ens is at the west of the Iberus, about one mile from the sea-shore, now called Morvedro . It had been founded by a colony of Zacynthians, and by some of the Rutuli of Ardea. Saguntum is celebrated for the clay in its neighbourhood, with which cups, pocula Saguntina , were made, but more particularly it is famous as being the cause of the second Punic war, and for the attachment of its inhabitants to the interest of Rome. Hannibal took it after a siege of about eight months; and the inhabitants, not to fall into the enemy’s hands, burnt themselves with their houses, and with all their effects. The conqueror afterwards rebuilt it, and placed a garrison there, with all the noblemen whom he detained as hostages from the several neighbouring nations of Spain. Some suppose that he called it Spart a gene . Florus , bk. 2 , ch. 6 .— Livy , bk. 21 , chs. 2, 7, 9.— Silius Italic us , bk. 1 , li. 271 .— Lucan , bk. 3 , li. 250 .— Strabo , bk. 3 .— Mela , bk. 2 , ch. 6 .