All Sevilla [antikvár]

FROM THE REMOTE HISPALIS TO THE ROMANIZATION OF BETIS Many are the legends that are told about the beginnings of Seville. There is one that alleges that it was the originál City of Hercules, another attributes its birth to the town of Betis in the times of the fabulous Tartessos, and yet another that it was the site of the mythical country of Atlantis. The truth appears to be that, as Hispalis, it was in those preshistoric times, known as the "Vaso Campaniforme" period, the cultural centre and was occupied in succession by the Phoenicians, the Greeks and the Carthaginians. History however records that Hispalis was later conquered by the Romans in the year 205 B. C. Itálica was the first city to be founded by the Romans in Bética (Andalusia). Even today its ruins remind us of the firm stand made by the Romans on the banks of the Guadalquivir. These remains are found somé eight miles to the north of Seville beside the main road through Extremadura. Their solid grandeur is recalled in the wellknown poem by Rodrigo Caro which begins with the memorable words: