Hispania Citerior
In fact, Tarraco was the capital at the outset of the Hispania Citerior during the Roman Republic, and later the very extensive Hispania Citerior Tarraconensis Province. Possibly around the year 45BC. Julius Caesar changed the status of city to a colonia, which is reflected in the epithet "Iulia" in its formal name: "Colonia Iulia Urbs Triumphalis Tarraco", which would remain for the duration of the Empire.