Carthago Nova was the most important Carthaginian coastal trading colony in Spain. It was founded on the coast of what became known as Murcia by the Carthaginian Hasdrubal, who extended the newly acquired Carthaginian empire in Iberia by skilful diplomacy, and consolidated it by the foundation of Carthago Nova as the capital of a new province. By a treaty with Rome he fixed the Ebro as the boundary between the two powers.

Ruins identified as a temple to Melqart have been uncovered. The city was captured by Rome during the Second Punic War 218—204 BCE. The modern city is known as Cartagena.