CARALES, ' the most important ancient city of Sardinia, situated on the south coast (Gr. KapaXtr, mod. Cagliari, q.v.). It is attributed to the Carthaginians, and Punic tombs exist in considerable numbers near the present cemetery on the east, and still more on the rocky plateau to the north-west of the town. They are hewn perpendicularly in the rock, while the Roman tombs are excavated horizontally (Taramelli in Moon menti dei Lincei, XXI.) . It first appears in Roman history in the Second Punic War, and probably obtained full Roman civic rights from Julius Caesar. In imperial times it was the most important town in the island, mainly owing to its fine sheltered harbour, where a detachment of the classis Misenensis (the fleet of Misenum) was stationed. In the 4th and 5th centuries it was probably the seat of the governor (praeses Sardiniae) . It is mentioned as an important harbour in the Gothic and Gildonic wars. It was also the chief point of the road system of Sardinia. Roads ran hence to Olbia by the east coast, and through the centre of the island, to Othoca (Oristano) direct, and thence to Olbia (probably the most frequented route), through the mining district to Sulci and along the south and west coasts to Othoca. The site of the mediaeval town with its Pisan fortifications must have been the Carthaginian acropolis; such a site could not have been neglected. The Romans, too, probably made use of it, though the lower quarters were mainly occupied in imperial times. The nucleus of the Roman municipium is probably repre sented by the present quarter of the Marina, in which the streets intersect at right angles and Roman remains are often found. An inscription found some way to the north towards the amphi theatre speaks of paving in the squares and streets, and of drains constructed under Domitian in A.D. 83. The amphitheatre in a natural depression of the rock just below the acropolis, opens towards the sea with a fine view. Its axes are 951 and 79 yards, and it is in the main cut in the rock, though parts are concrete. Below it, to the south, are considerable remains of ancient reser voirs for rainwater, upon which the city entirely depended. Not far from the shore are remains of Roman baths, with a fine coloured mosaic pavement. To the east was the necropolis of Bonaria, with both Punic and Roman tombs, and, on the site of the present cemetery, Christian catacombs. But the western quarter seems to have been far more important; it extended along the lagoon of S. Gilla (to the north-west of the town, which until the middle ages was an open bay) and on the lower slopes of the hill which rises above it. A large Roman house (or group of houses) is still visible. Beyond this quarter begins an extensive Roman necropolis. It is probable that the acropolis of Carales was occupied even in prehistoric times; but more abundant traces of prehistoric settlements have been found on the Capo S. Elia to the south-east of the modern town. An inscription records the existence of a temple of Venus Erycina on this promontory in Roman times. The museum contains an interesting collection of objects from many of the sites mentioned, and also from other parts of the island; it is in fact the most important in Sardinia, especially for its prehistoric bronzes (see SARDINIA) .