Asta
- I In Liguria, now Asti, Plin. 3, 5, 7, § 49.—
- II In Hispania Baetica, Liv. 39, 21; Mel. 3, 1, 4; Plin. 3, 1, 3, § 11; cf. Mann. Hisp. p. 286.
- —Hence, Astensis, e, adj., of Asta: ager, Liv. 39, 21; and Astenses, ium, m., the Astensians, Auct. B. Hisp. 26.
ASTA (Ἄστα), a considerable city in the interior of Liguria, on the river Tanarus, still called Asti. It is mentioned both by Pliny and Ptolemy; the former reckons it among the nobilia oppidao f Liguria, while the latter assigns it the rank of a colony. It probably became such under the emperor Trajan. (Plin. Nat. 3.5. s. 7; Ptol. 3.1.45; Zumpt, de Coloniis, p. 403.) We learn from Pliny that it was noted for its manufacture of pottery (35.12. s. 46). Claudian alludes to a victory gained by Stilicon over the Goths under the walls of Asta, but we have no historical account of such an event. (De VI. Cons. Honor. 204.) It appears, however, to have been a place of importance in the latter ages of the Roman empire, and we learn from Paullus Diaconus, who terms it Civitas Astensis,t hat it still continued to be so under the Lombards. (P. Diac. 4.42.) The name is corrupted in the Tabula to Hasta or Hasia. The modern city of Asti is one of the most considerable places in Piedmont, and gives the name of Astigiana to the whole surrounding country. It is an episcopal see, and. contains a population of 24.000 souls.
[E.H.B]ASTA (Ἄστα: Astensis: Ru. at Mesa de Asia,) an ancient city of the Celtici in Hispania Baetica, on an aestuary of the Gulf of Cadiz, 100 stadia from the port of Gades. (Strab. iii. pp. 140, 141, 143.) The Antonine Itinerary (p. 406) places it on the high road from Gades to Hispalis and Corduba, 16 M. P. from the Portus Gaditanus, and 27 from Ugia. Mela (3.1.4) speaks of it as procul a litore. It was the ancient and usual place of meeting for the people of the territory of Gades (Strab. p. 141), and its importance is confirmed by its very antique autonomous coins. The old Spanish root AST, found also in ASTAPA, ASTIGI, ASTURA, ASTURES, ASTURICA, is supposed to signify a hillfortress.
Under the Romans, Asta became a colony, with the epithet Regia, and belonged to the conventus of; Hispalis. (Plin. Nat. 3.1. s. 3; coin with epigraph P. COL. ASTA. RE. F.) It is mentioned twice in Roman history. (Liv. 39.21, B.C. 186; Bell. Hisp. 36, B.C. 45.)
Its ruins, and the remains of the old Roman road through it, are seen on a hill between Xerez and Tribugena, which bears the name of Mesa de Asia. Some place it at Xeres, which is more probably the ancient ASIDO. (Florez, Esp. S. 12. p. 60, Med. Esp. 3.98; Eckhel, vol. 1. p. 15; Ukert, 2.1, p. 356.)
[P.S](1) The modern Asti in Piedmont, an inland town of Liguria on the Tanarus, a Roman colony.
(2) A town in Hispania Baetica, near Gades, a Roman colony.