Nova Carthago, the modern Cartagena on the south-east coast of Spain, originally had the same name as its mother city Carthago in Africa. To distinguish between the cities Scipio Africanus renamed it Nova Carthago in 209 BC. Augustus renamed it to Colonia Victrix Iulia Nova Carthago or Colonia Vrbs Iulia Nova Carthago (C. V. I. N. C.). Diocletian made it the capital of the province Hispania Carthaginiensis.
Major silver and lead mines in the neighbourhood were exploited. The area further produced garum, a fermented fish sauce, and esparto grass, used to make ropes and baskets.
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