Mastia facts for kids
Mastia (also called Massia of the Tartessians) was an ancient settlement in southeastern Spain. It was part of the Tartessian group of cities. People often thought Mastia was the same place as the modern city of Cartagena in Spain.
This idea came from a scholar named Adolf Schulten in the early 1900s. He studied old writings from ancient times.
What Was Mastia?
Mastia was an important ancient town. It was part of the Tartessian confederation, which was a group of cities in ancient Spain. These cities were known for their rich resources and trade.
Mastia in Ancient Texts
The first time Mastia is mentioned is in a poem called Ora Maritima (meaning Sea Coasts). A Latin poet named Rufius Festus Avienius wrote this poem in the 300s AD. He said his poem used information from an even older text from the 500s BC called the Massiliote Periplus.
Avienius described Mastia in his poem. However, today, experts are not completely sure if the Mastia he wrote about is exactly where Cartagena is now. Some clues in the poem's other descriptions might suggest it is the same place. But some scholars think Mastia might have been closer to an ancient city called Carteia, which is near modern Gibraltar. This area is at the top of the Bay of Algeciras.
Mastia is also mentioned in an important agreement between ancient Rome and Carthage. This agreement was made in 348 BC. It called the city Μαστια Ταρσειων (Mastia of the Tartessians). This agreement helped to set the border for Rome in the Iberian Peninsula.
Cities Connected to Mastia
An ancient Greek writer named Hecataeus of Miletus also knew about Mastia. He wrote that some other cities were connected to or influenced by Mastia. These cities included:
- Sixos of the Mastians: This city is believed to be the modern-day Sexi (Almuñécar).
- Maniobora of the Mastians.
- Molybdine of the Mastians.
- Syalis of the Mastians.
Mastia was very important because of its natural resources. It had many valuable minerals, good fishing areas, and fertile land for farming. These resources made the Kingdom of Tartessos want to keep Mastia under its control and influence.
See also
In Spanish: Mastia para niños
