The Gift of Seville: A Legacy from Phoenician Seafarers

Seville, the capital of Andalucía, is said to have been founded by the mythological hero Hercules, associated with the Phoenician god Melgart. However, historians believe its origins can be traced back to the Phoenician settlement of Spal, likely derived from the name Hisbaal, which could mean ‘gift of Baal’. Another theory suggests that Hisbaal was the name of a Phoenician seafarer who gave his name to the port in the area where Seville is located today. The Romans later changed the name to Hispal, and it evolved into Hispalis, becoming a major market and industrial center in Hispania.

After the Arab invasion, the name Hispalis was used among the Mozarabs, and the Umayyads adapted it to Ishbīliya. The city was later conquered by Ferdinand III, and its name was Latinized to Sevilla. The inhabitants are known as sevillano/as, and the local Gypsies refer to the city as ‘Serva la Bari’ or simply Serva in caló, the Andalusian Gypsy language.

Seville’s rich history and diverse cultural influences have contributed to its status as the ‘pearl of Andalucía’, and its name has evolved over the centuries to reflect its changing identity.

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