Gadir, now the capital of the province of Cadiz, was founded by the Phoenicians possibly as early as the 10th or 9th century BC. Gadir, meaning 'walled city', was established as a trading post and soon flourished to become a major commerical and political entity. This study examines the history of Gadir from the 5th to 3rd century BC, its growing urbanisation, economic and political structure, ideologies, religious life and buildings, its industries, trade, and the exploitation of the rural hinterland. Eventually falling to Carthage c. 500BC and forming the bolthold from which Hannibal conquered southern Iberia, this study explores Phoenician activities and expansion in the west and at Gadir in particular. Spanish text.