Spain Day 07a - Roman City of Italica

 Roman Italica, just outside modern Sevilla, was founded in 206 BCE as the first Roman settlement in the Iberian peninsula. Inhabited mainly by veterans of Roman legions it slowly grew over time.  The Roman emperors, Trajan and Hadrian, were both born here adding to its status but it was surpassed in population by other Roman cities, in Iberia, over time. 

In the modern era, the stonework was used by locals and governments for other projects, including a dam. Later excavations led to protection of the site. No post-Roman structures were built on site meaning that the city layout is preserved even if most of the buildings are not. The mosaics and ampitheatre are the main draws to the site as well as seeing the layout.

The main thoroughfare showing the width of the streets.

Each of the rooms have different mosaic designs in the wealthier residences.

In the distance are farmer's fields, under which are buried more of Italica.

Some areas have been reconstructed from the debris left behind.

The details in the mosaics are astounding.