Romans and Carthaginians in Cartagena from 19th to 28th September 2014

Fiestas de Carthagineses y Romanos Cartagena, 19th to 28th September

This colourful and enjoyable festival celebrates the history which shaped the Region of Murcia, and Cartagena in particular, into what it is today. There are footprints of the Iberian tribe who occupied this land, the Carthaginians who sought refuge here as the Romans decimated their culture and the Romans themselves, and for the duration of this Festival the city is filled with the sounds of marching feet, the cries of battle and the tastes and scents of sacred rituals and celebrations.

Its hugely popular with ex-pats and their visitors, who enjoy watching the parades and activities, visiting the encampment, artisan fair and big fairground which accompany this event and visiting Cartagena during this week.
See below for background information, location information, and the full programme below it.

The history behind the Romans and Carthaginians
What is now the Region of Murcia was an important stop-off point in the trading routes of the Phoenicians, a great trading nation who established business links throughout the Mediterranean, sailing along these coasts with cargos of raw materials and trade goods. Their presence is recorded by three boats which sank in the regions waters about 600 BC ( click for more info, Following the phoenicians in Murcia)  and it is likely that these people traded in what is now Cartagena: it is certainly known that  they were operating in Mazarron and Aguilas at this time.
They originally came from what is now modern day Lebanon, but were driven out of their homeland by invaders, and settled in many of their trading colonies, founding a great city called Carthage, on the African coast, its population in time becoming known as the Carthaginians.     
                                            
By 250 BC, the Romans were set on becoming the most powerful nation in the known world, and embarked on a series of devastating wars, the Punic wars, in which the Romans attempted to take control of the trading routes and ports occupied by the Carthaginians.

These wars eventually drove the Carthaginians down along the Spanish and African coast, to their trading settlements, one of which was run by a tribe called the Mastians, in a sheltered natural cove, which is believed at this time to have been called Mastia. ( Now Cartagena).

Although undoubtedly the Carthaginians had been trading in this area for centuries, and may have had a population already established here, the Carthaginians were being forced to establish new settlements for their people.

In 223BC, Hamilcar Barca, from the powerful  Carthaginian family, the Barcas, landed in Mastia with an army, proposing to the chief of the tribe that they " move in to the settlement and help to protect it against the Roman armies," and, given that the army was considerably larger and better equipped than their own, the Mastians conceded and accepted a peaceful takeover.

The Carthaginians decided new beginnings should have a new name, so re-named the settlement,  Kart-Hadath, Qart-Hadast, which later evolved to become Cartagena.

Now the Romans had plans for world domination, but even an empire as mighty as that of Rome has its limitations. The Romans occupied large tracts of Spain, which provided them with invaluable mineral exports, olive oil and esparto grass, so rather than spread their troops too thin across Europe, the Romans decided to negotiate a settlement with the Carthaginians that they would stay North of the River Ebro within their own settlement of Sagunto, further along the Spanish coast, and would not come down further south.

The Carthaginians agreed and there was peace, for just a short time.
But humans will be humans, and amongst the Carthaginians was a man named Hasdrubal, a general who was the son in law of Hamilcar Barca, and who assumed command of the colony when Hamilcar died. His armies were commanded by a General called Hannibal, who could have been his son, although no-one is completely sure, a man who refused to hold treaty with the Romans and wanted to continue the fight.

So in 219 BC he marched right along the coast, attacked Sagunto, and took the city from the Romans.
Hot on the trail of Roman blood, Hannibal then departed for Italy across the Alps in 217BC, with his infamous elephants,100,000 infantry and 12,000 horsemen, and although he achieved one great victory, failed to actually attack Rome, even though his campaign lasted for several years. Thousands of his men died and deserted and his army fell apart, his absence leaving the door open for the Romans.

His departure had left the city vulnerable, and short of troops, so in 209BC the Romans  attacked Qart Hadast( Cartagena.)

At this time, the settlement stood on a series of small hills, contained inside a city wall, surrounded by a shallow lagoon and the sea.
Roman invaders waded across the lagoon and attacked front and back, the city fell, was looted, burnt, then rebuilt as a great and important Roman settlement, the RomanTheatre, the Casa de Fortuna and many other wonderfully preserved remains dating from this period of re-building.
Carthago Nova, modern day Cartagena, emerged from the ashes of Hannibal’s thirst for Roman blood as the city which we can now discover through its historical sites and this fiesta.
If you´d like a much more detailed account of the History of Cartagena, Click History of Cartagena

Locations
The fiesta encampment
The fiesta participants are based in an encampment on the grounds by the Cartagonova sports stadium, near to the Eroski supermarket. Here they have a wonderful encampment with artisans and handicrafts, each group building its own area where they can mix socially, eat, drink and enjoy themselves during the week. Some of the structures are remarkable, colossal statues towering over the encampment, with columns and pillars all over the place, atmospheric, and a must visit location for any trip to the Fiestas.
There is also a large fairground at this location, and plenty of food and drink available.
Look at the map on the link. There are several ways to get to the stadium which is on a large piece of open ground in the Rambla area in front of the Eroski supermarket. Click for map, Estadio Cartagonova.
There is plenty of parking near to the stadium.

We have prepared a list of carparks for you, and our recommendations if you are coming into any of the acts within the city is to park in the port carpark, or the two carparks in Calle Real, which are the nearest. The processions take a route towards the encampment, in which case visitors could also park in the Plaza de Espana carpark and watch it pass along that route. There is also parking for high topped vehicles near to the Plaza de Toros, although this involves a 10 minute walk to the centre. Click for Cartagena carparking.

Most of the acts in the city are in front of the Town hall, or in the port area opposite the Plaza Heroes de Cavité. Link to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

Programme for the Romans and Carthaginians 2014
Friday 19th September
6.45pm Cartagena Port, the sacred fire which lights the beginning of the fiestas arrives.
8.15pm. The archaeological park of El Molinete, which is behind the Roman forum district is the scene for the ceremony to light the sacred fire. Priestesses, Vestal virgins and the ladies of the city invoke the gods to bring down fire and bless the city through the fiestas. From here, the flame will be carried to the encampment, where it will burn throughout the fiestas.
9.15pm  Plaza del Ayuntamiento/Palacio Consistorial
Pregon. Opening speeches to the assembled participants of the fiesta (2000 approx- all costumed)
10.30 pmThe participants march together towards the Festival encampment, located by the football stadium and Eroski Hypermarket, which will be open all week.(This is an informal parade)
Route: Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Calle  Mayor, Puerta de Murcia, Calle Carmen, Plaza de España, Alameda de San Antón, Soldado Rosique, across the bridge and into the encampment.
11pm Official opening of the Festival encampment, and official switch on of the lights. The big fairground is open alongside the encampment for entertainment throughout the week.

Saturday 20th September
The Founding of Qart Hadast. This is a 3 part theatrical representation, taking place around the city in various places. It commemorates the agreement between the Carthaginians and the Mastian tribe, in which the Carthaginians took peaceful control of the settlement, renaming it as Qart-Hadast. The acts take place in three locations
12 Midday Artisan workshops for the youngsters from 12 onwards, in the Plaza de Juan XXIII
6.30pm Concert, band music, free to all, taking place in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento in front of the Palacio Consistorial
8pm. Plaza Héroes de Cavité, Cartagena Port area
First Act. Death of  Hamílcar Barca and naming of Hasdrúbal as General and heir. The Carthaginian army waiting at the gates of Mastia.  Discontented, complaining amongst themselves, unsure whether they will enter the gates or not.

9.15pm Plaza de Juan XXIII
Second act. Hasdrúbal in the encampment. Mastia decides to accept the Carthaginian army and the protection it offers. Hasdrubal is named the protector of the city.
10.15pm Parque de Los Juncos/plaza central.
3rd Act: The birth of  Quart-Hadast. The renaming of the city from Mastia to Qart Hadast.


Sunday 21st September, Rome turns its attention to the Carthaginians
12 .30 Midday.- Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
FIESTA INFANTIL - NASCITURUS
In this part of the fiesta, the youngest and newest members are welcomed into their festival family, in a symbolic act in front of the Town Hall, each child marking their fingerprint onto a certificate. Its a moving and heartwarming ceremony and can easily be combined with a visit to one of the attractions in Cartagena.
7.15pm A performance by the children of Rome, taking place on the stage in the port area
8pm Performance: The destruction of Sagunto, taking place in the stage area in the port. The Carthaginians have committed the unthinkable and crossed the river Ebro to storm the city of Sagunto, breaking the treaty established with Rome for peace. This means only one thing: the spark which set off the second punic wars and war between Rome and Carthage.

At 9pm this is followed by the Plenary session of the Roman forum. The Romans are concerned about the activities of Hannibal, who has attacked Sagunto and is now threatening to move to Italy across the alps and attack Rome itself. "Hannibal Ad Portus", Hannibal is at the gates, the fear of every Roman that the army is dispersed across its enormous empire and the city is at risk. The senate decide to send an army led by Cornelius Scipio to stop Hannibal before he can reach Rome and attack his home: Cartagena

Monday 22nd September
9pm. Plaza Héroes de Cavite, in the Port area main stage
Representation.Wedding of Hannibal and Himlice. This is a theatrical representation of the acts leading up to the wedding and is about an hour and a half long. It’s quite interesting to watch, lots of special effects etc. and this year there is a new script, with some surprises promised.
Hannibalis used as a political pawn in an alliance forged with the Iberic tribes who occupied the lands around Jaen and were powerful allies for the Carthaginians. Hannibal is betrothed to a girl he has never met, a marriage of convenience, the Princess Himlice, daughter of the great Iberic king, Mucro. In this version, they meet and although attraction is not immediate, grow to love each other and celebrate the wedding.Aaaah.
( The real version is they met at the wedding, got married, and he disappeared off to kill Romans, so it wasnt quite so idealistic, but this version makes for good theatre.)
11.15pm In the encampment. Wedding celebrations for members of the Federations.

Tuesday 23rd September.
10.30am The Romans annual bicycle ride through the city
9pm ORÁCULO DE LA DIOSA TANIT, taking place on the main stage in the port area
This is a melodramatic and spectacular version of the visit by Himlice to the oracle to ask about the future of her husband’s campaign against the Romans.
It was quite common in these days to pay a visit to the oracle, who would see into the future and advise on business enterprises, wars, family undertakings and unions, and in this case the oracle foresees woe, woe, woe.


Wednesday 24th September.
6.30pm In the Fiesta encampment, Pruebas de Aspar.
Childrens fiesta, with lots of games for the youngsters to enjoy.
9pm Festival encampment. This is the Comicios Centuriados. It’s highly entertaining for Spanish speakers who understand local politics, as the senators debate the topics of the day.
11 pm  Festival encampment, FERIAE LATINO.
This is focused on the celebrations of the festival of Jupiter which would have lasted three days in the Roman world. In this act, the legionnaires offer hospitality to those visiting their encampment, so there will be lots of different bits of entertainment, music and free bits and bobs of food on offer all over the fiesta encampment The aim of the evening is just to enjoy yourself.
12 Midnight
The Carthaginian troops swear to defend Cartagena ( at this pointQart Hadasht) in an act which takes place in the encampment.

Thursday 25th September
The main events today commemorate Hannibal’s march on Rome with an enormous army and his elephants. Fired up by his "successful" attack on Sagunto, Hannibal decides to take on the Romans in their own heartland and attack Rome itself. Troops land in the port area, Hannibal contracts the mercenaries and the new army march through the streets. This army actually comprised over 100,000 infantry, 12,000 horsemen and 37 elephants. The reality is that it would have also been accompanied by a large entourage of wagons and camp followers - feeding and caring for an army of that size, travelling by foot would have been an enormous logistical nightmare, and in the end was his downfall, over-extending his capabilities instead of defending his home, although the end of Hannibal is still several years in the future. In the end, this one decision to attack Rome doomed the Carthaginians as a nation, to oblivion.
6.30pm In the Plaza del Ayuntamiento and the Plaza del Icue, the Carthaginians warm-up ahead of the evening’s events
8pm Plaza Héroes de Cavite, in the Port area
The Carthaginian army land in the port, and contract mercenaries from the Iberian tribes across Spain.
9pm.Grand parade of Hannibal and his troops, heading for Rome.
Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Mayor, Puerta de Murcia, Carmen, Plaza de España, Alameda de San Antón, Soldado Rosique, crossing the bridge over to the fiesta encampment.

12 Midnight, in the festival encampment, El Designio de los Dioses
This is a 20 minute long theatrical representation. It is set on the night before the battle, and the women of the town make offerings to the goddess Bellona, seeking her intervention for the following day. The goddess accepts the offerings and appears, announcing that the Romans will win, but the price for the victory will be the sacrifice of the life of the commander, Escipion.


Friday 26th September
Today is the day of the big battle. Today the Romans land and take the city for themselves. Hannibal is away with the army, the city is vulnerable and the Romans attack. By the end of the day, they have taken the city, they march in triumph and the city of Qart Hadast no longer exists, it is now Carthago Nova, a Roman city, and remains so for several hundred years to come.

A lot of visitors say that this is their favourite part of the fiesta. Theres a big mock battle, smoke,  fire, writhing bodies and lots of shouting and running around. This year, we are promised a new battle, with lots of novelties and the battle returns to its early evening slot, and front-line seats for the main event can be reserved beforehand.

11am Women’s rowing battle in the port
12 Midday Men’s rowing battle in the port. A lot of fun, shouting and splashing and virtually everyone ends up in the water
5pm Disembarcation of the Roman legions in the port, along the waterfront. The troops then march down to the Cuesta for the battle.
6.15 pm  Cuesta del Batel (The green patch of land running around the base of the city walls) The advice is get there in plenty of time to grab a patch of grass, as it gets very crowded. Anywhere in the middle zone is best as the two armies mass at separate ends of the field and then the battle is in the middle. Seats are sold for the main seating stand in the centre.
Battle for Quart Hadast.
Following the battle, the troops amass for the grand victory parade, marching to the encampment.
8pm The Romans have won. Official act of victory, taking place in the port stage area, officially ceding the victory to Rome. Liberation of the hostages taken in the battle, awarding of the crowns of victory to the most valient soldiers, the first to scale the walls of the City and the proclamation of Roman rule, renaming the City Carthago-Nova.
9pm The Roman flag is raised in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento
9.15pm Grand victory parade. Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Mayor, Puerta de Murcia, Carmen, Plaza de España, Alameda de San Antón, Soldado Rosique, then across the bridge into the encampment.
11.30pm Grand latin feria, with lots of celebrations in the festival encampment

Saturday 27th September
1.30pm At the Torreciega monument (this is on the outskirts of Cartagena): homage to the soldiers fallen in battle.
7pm.The last grand parade of all the troops and legionnaires. This is the big parade with all the troops and floats
Plaza del Ayuntamiento,Calle Mayor, Puerta de Murcia, Calle del Carmen, Plaza de España, Alameda de San Antón, Soldado Rosique, Across the bridge to the festival encampment..

Sunday 28th September
6pm Grand Roman Circus
This has been resurrected after several years of absence, and is taking place in a portable bullring, so places are limited. Seats are on sale in advance, so don´t just turn up, there won´t be any seats available. Click for more details.
9pm.Fiesta encampment. Extinguishing of the sacred flame.
9.30pm Spectacular firework display to close the fiesta.

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