Scalabis

The Romans arrived at this region in 138 BC and settled in the city, then going by the name of Scallabis, and limited to the fortified area currently known as Alcáçova de Santarém.

A latter designation was "Scallabis Praesidium Iulium", given by Julius Caesar in 61 BC,[2] with the installation of a military camp next to the previous fortifications.

[2] It was connected by important roads to Olisipo, Bracara Augusta and was the location of a Tagus river crossing.

In 460 Scallabis was conquered by Sunieric (along with Nepotianus and Theodoric II) as part of a campaign against the Suebi.

[5] With the Alan and Vandal invasions, the city became known as "Sancta Irene", the root of the current name "Santarém".