Various historians from the Classical period wrote that the city of Rome was founded in year 753 B.C. However, archaeology provides a more realistic version of the truth demonstrating that during that period of history, Rome was a mere cluster of villages situated in the hills that finally decided to group together to create a city.
From the VI to the III century B.C., Rome conquered Italian territory founding cities where there were only small villages.
Rome was able to successfully expand because the model of city it built was very useful in the organization and control of the new territories.
As time went by, Rome realized it needed to condition the foundation of new cities by giving them administrative and legislative power according to their function.
In this way, Rome, progressively introduced its model of civilization in the Mediterranean’s oriental and occidental territories, in the North of Europe and the North of Africa. The most important cities after Rome were Carthage, Alexandria, Antioch of Syria and Ephesus. The most prosperous regions were Tunisia, Syria and Turkey. Their populations have been estimated at around 50 million people.
The cities, areas for the spreading and reflecting of classical Roman ideals, were founded following an urban planning which can be seen in their public squares, temples, and their political- administrative, commercial and entertainment buildings.
We know that in the cities lived an important part of the population who was dedicated to different activities, especially the arts and philosophy.
Cities like Pompeii are extraordinary testimonials of their daily life.
In Hispania, the Romans founded cities with roman colonizers mixed with the local population. In the Balearic Islands we have various urban nucleuses. From Mallorca, the outstanding cities are Pollentia and Palma. In Menorca, there are the three cities located in the most important natural ports of the island: Iamo, Mago and Sanisera.
The archaeologists researching Sanisera are privileged as it is the only Roman city in Menorca that can be excavated in totality. The other two cities, Mago and Iamo are situated under the modern cities of Mahón and Ciutadella.
ECOMUSEO DE CAP DE CAVALLERIA (Menorca) |Camí de Sa Cavalleria (Fornells) |Apartado 68 - 07740 Es Mercadal
España | Tel/Fax: +34 971 359999 | archaeology@ecomuseodecavalleria.com
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Cavalleria shipwreck 
The cities, areas for the spreading and reflecting of classical Roman ideals, were founded following an urban planning which can be seen in their public squares, temples, and their political- administrative, commercial and entertainment buildings.