Acci facts for kids
 Location in Spain
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| Location | Guadix el Viejo, Purullena, Comarca de Guadix, Province of Granada, Andalusia, Spain |
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| Region | Hispania Tarraconensis |
| Coordinates | 37°21′07″N 3°12′00″W / 37.3519033°N 3.1999938°W |
| Type | Settlement |
Acci was an important ancient city in what is now Spain. It was located in a region called Hispania Tarraconensis during the time of the Roman Empire. Acci was a special kind of Roman city called a "colony." This meant it had many rights and privileges, similar to cities in Italy. Its full Roman name was Colonia Julia Gemella Accitana.
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Acci's Roman Connections
The name Gemella means "twin." This name came from the fact that the city was settled by soldiers from two Roman legions, the third and sixth. This happened either under Julius Caesar or Augustus, who were powerful Roman leaders.
Coins and Gods
Acci made its own coins. These coins often showed the faces of famous Roman emperors like Augustus, Tiberius, Germanicus, Drusus, and Caligula. They also showed symbols of the Roman legions that helped found the city. An ancient writer named Macrobius wrote that the people of Acci worshipped the Roman god Mars. They called him Netos and showed him with the sun's rays around his head. You can even see this symbol on some of their old coins!
Early Christian History
Acci became a Christian city very early on. A special church area called the Diocese of Acci was set up there in 47 AD. This shows how important Christianity was in Acci a long, long time ago. Today, no bishop lives in Acci because the old city is no longer inhabited. However, Acci is still recognized by the Roman Catholic Church as a "titular see." This means it's an honorary title for a bishop, even though there's no active diocese there anymore.
Where is Acci Today?
The ancient site of Acci is now known as Guadix el Viejo or Castillo de Luchena. It is located in the municipality of Purullena, which is part of the Comarca de Guadix in the Province of Granada, Andalusia, Spain. The site is about 6 kilometers (about 3.7 miles) northwest of the modern city of Guadix. The area is protected and listed in the Andalusian Institute's Database of Historical Patrimony. This helps make sure the ancient ruins are preserved for future generations to learn from.
See also
- In Spanish: Acci para niños
