Numancia

Numancia, also known as Numantia in Latin, is the name of an ancient Celtiberian city that stood in the upper Duero valley, on a defensible hill near the present-day municipality of Garray in the province of Soria, Castile and León, Spain. Its strategic position controlled movement along river routes and provided a strong defensive site from the late Bronze Age into the Roman era.

The city is best known for its role in the Celtiberian Wars, particularly the prolonged resistance to Roman conquest. In 134–133 BCE, Numancia was besieged by Roman forces under the command of Publius Cornelius Scipio Aemilianus. After a lengthy siege, the Romans destroyed the city; ancient sources report that many inhabitants were killed or sold into slavery, while some survivors are said to have taken their own lives. The fall of Numancia is often cited as a turning point in Rome’s expansion in Hispania and has endured as a symbol of stubborn resistance.

Today, the site is the Numancia archaeological park, where remains of walls and other fortifications, along with Iberian artifacts, have been uncovered. Excavations conducted since the 19th century contributed to its historical profile, making Numancia a major archaeological and cultural landmark in Spain. The name Numancia has also entered Spanish literature and historiography as a symbol of endurance and defiance, and the site remains a popular destination for those interested in ancient Iberian history and the Roman conquest of Hispania.