The Romans called Spain Hispania.
Hispania was the Roman name for the Iberian Peninsula, encompassing modern-day Spain and Portugal. The term came into use gradually as the Romans expanded their influence and control over the region. It wasn't a single, unified province initially, but rather a collection of territories under Roman governance.
Here's a breakdown of the Roman presence in Hispania:
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Early Encounters: The Romans first became involved in Hispania during the Punic Wars against Carthage.
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Division into Provinces: Eventually, Hispania was divided into several provinces, including:
- Hispania Citerior (Nearer Spain)
- Hispania Ulterior (Further Spain)
- Later, these were reorganized into Baetica, Lusitania, and Tarraconensis.
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Romanization: Over centuries, Hispania became deeply Romanized, adopting Roman laws, customs, language (Latin), and architecture. Many important Roman figures, like emperors Trajan and Hadrian, were born in Hispania.
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Legacy: The name "Spain" is directly derived from "Hispania," a testament to the lasting Roman influence on the Iberian Peninsula. The languages spoken in Spain and Portugal today (Spanish and Portuguese) are Romance languages, evolved from Latin.
In summary, the Romans referred to the entire Iberian Peninsula as Hispania, and this name has evolved into the modern name for Spain.
