Le siege d’Azaila (Teruel): une relecture critique des indices archeologiques

Abstract

It is generally considered that during the Sertorian Wars, the site of Cabezo de Alcala (Azaila, Teruel) underwent a siege that would have led to its abandonment. But, despite the apparent accumulation of evidence, a critical re-reading of the traces discovered leaves the reality of this confl ict open to doubt. No urban defence seems to have been built by the community and the «barricades» are perhaps no more than mounds of stones of recent date. Moreover, the two torsion catapults and hand-held weapons —considered evidence of heavy fi ghting and the inhabitants’ resistance— are probably only ancient trophies, while the artillery projectiles discovered could come from the municipal arsenal. Finally, the slope situated to the south of the upper city is probably not an assault ramp, but a simple embankment, later converted to provide easier access to the summit of Cabezo.