Hispania, Castulo,
AE Unit, 180 BC
Obverse: Diademed and draped male head to right.
Reverse: Sphinx advancing right; star to right; [Iberian “KASTILO” in exergue].
References: AB 707
Size: 30mm, 18.62g

After a local princess named Himilce married Hannibal, Castulo allied with Carthage. In 213 B.C., Castulo was the site of Hasdrubal Barca’s crushing victory over the Roman army with a force of roughly 40,000 Carthaginian troops plus local Iberian mercenaries. Soon after the Romans made a pact with the residents and the city became a foederati (ally) of Rome.