It was during the mid-second century B.C. when the Roman General Claudio Marcelo founded Corduba, which was named provincial capital of Hispania Ulterior Baetica, or Baetica Romana. These years of the Republic were years of prosperity, cut short by Julius Caesar’s victory at the battle of Munda, after which he captured the city from the supporters of Pompey. After the first years of decline during the Empire, Caesar Augustus restored the well-deserved status of this area and distributed its land to his most trusted veterans, granting it the title of Colonia Patricia.

Under Roman rule, Cordoba experienced an intense period of monumental public building and improved infrastructure. Great buildings were constructed, such as the recently-discovered main amphitheatre, along with grand temples, like the one situated in Calle Claudio Marcelo, and the streets were decorated with majestic sculptures.

Christianity played a vital role in the city from the third century onwards, when Osio was bishop of the city. He chaired the First Council of Nicaea and was adviser to Emperor Constantine I the Great. There were many Christian burials in the fourth century with sarcophagi imported from Rome itself, which suggests that there was a well-established Christianized aristocracy in Cordoba.

During the reign of the Catholic king Recaredo, the Visigoths built the Basilica of San Vicente, which was taken over years later by the barbarian peoples who arrived in to the city in the fifth century.