Segeda facts for kids
Segeda was an ancient town in Spain, a long, long time ago. It was built by a group of people called the Celtiberians. Today, you can find its remains near the towns of Belmonte de Gracián and Mara in Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain.
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Discovering Segeda: An Ancient Spanish Town
Who Lived in Segeda?
The first people to live in Segeda were the Belli, a Celtiberian tribe. They gave the town its original name, Sekeida or Sekeiza. The Celtiberians were ancient people who lived in the middle of Spain.
Segeda and the Romans
In 153 BC, Segeda became very important in history. The Roman Senate, which was like the government of ancient Rome, changed the start of their official year to January 1st. They did this so that a Roman leader named Quintus Fulvius Nobilior could quickly attack Segeda. This was part of the Celtiberian Wars, a series of conflicts between the Romans and the Celtiberians.
During these wars, the first town of Segeda was destroyed. But the people didn't give up! Soon after, they built a new town nearby. Archaeologists, who study ancient things, call this new town "Segeda II."
Segeda II: A New Beginning
"Segeda II" was built with Roman ideas in mind. You could see this in its straight streets, which were very different from older Celtiberian towns. Even though it was a new town, it kept the same name as the old one.
However, "Segeda II" also faced troubles. During the Roman Civil War, a big conflict in the Roman Empire, "Segeda II" was damaged. After 49 BC, the town was completely abandoned and no one lived there anymore.
Finding Segeda Again
For many centuries, Segeda was lost to history. But in 1998, archaeologists started digging in the area. Their hard work brought this amazing ancient town back into the spotlight. Now, we can learn a lot about the Celtiberians and Romans from the ruins of Segeda.
