 Although they were of Roman descent they were not regarded as Roman citizens, nor were they allowed to marry Roman citizens.The Senate responded by elevating Carteia to the status of a "colonia" (Roman colony) and granting around 4,000 Romano-Spanish people the right to live there and receive a grant of land on a similar basis to Roman colonists.The existing inhabitants were permitted to remain there, while all of the inhabitants were given the right to marry Roman citizens and to carry on trade with Romans.