an ancient town of Spain, in the country of the Edetani or Sedetani, in the Roman province of Hispania Tarraconensis. It stood on a hill near the shore of the Mediterranean, about 100 miles S.W. of the mouth of the Ebro. It is said to have been founded by Greeks from Zacynthus, along with Rutuli from Ardea; and the fertility of the surrounding country, together with the commercial activity of its inhabitants, raised the town to a high position. The figs of the vicinity were highly esteemed; and the name of Saguntum was widely known for the earthenware cups manufactured there. At a time when the greater part of Spain was under Carthaginian influence Saguntum was an ally of Rome; but it was besieged by Hannibal in 219 B.C. This act of aggression, as it was considered by the Romans, formed the pretext for the second Punic war. After a desperate resistance, Saguntum was taken by Hannibal, but recovered in 210 by the Romans. After this period it became a Roman colony. The site is now occupied by Murviedro, which derives its name, a corruption of muri veteres, from the ancient fortifications in the place. (See Murviedro.)