BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORY OF VALENCIA Part 1:

Although the archaeological remains of earlier settlements show, the city of Valencia was founded in 138 BC as a Roman colony. As the consul Decimo Junius Brutus Galaico with the name of Valentia Edetanorum (Courage, The value of Edetania region) (Edeta is the present town of Liria about 24 km northwest of the city of Valencia). Located on a river island in the river Tirius or Tirys (now Turia River). Located in the best ford (zone of a shallow river or stream with firm ground that allows the passage) through which passed the Via Heraclea (later Via Augusta).
The Roman colony prospered economically and demographically until it was partially destroyed in 75 BC for their active participation in the wars Sertorian. Under Augustus (probably between 5 BC and 5 AD) was refounded, creating the uniqueness that only comes in Valencia of the dual cameras. The Veterani (veterans arrived of the licenses of Augustus) and Vetere (survivors of the first settlers). With the fall of the Roman Empire the city was plunged into a period of decline.
Centuries later, with the arrival of Germanic peoples, the Catholic Church assumed command of the city by changing the places of worship Roman by Christian churches.
During the Byzantine invasion of the Southwest (year 554), Valencia gained a major strategic importance in which contingents were set Visigoths. After the expulsion of the Byzantines (year 625), the city began a dark period remains barely documented and poorly known for the story (which seems to indicate a very low urban age).

Picture of  Valentia Edetanorum coat of arms in Roman times (wikipedia photo taken at the Plaza de la Virgen de Valencia)