In this article, we will explore the fascinating world of Abdera, Spain, which has left its mark on history, culture and society. Abdera, Spain has been the subject of debates, studies and interpretations over the years, awakening the curiosity and interest of those who immerse themselves in its universe. With a relevance that transcends the barriers of time, Abdera, Spain continues to be a topic of discussion and reflection today. Through this article, we will delve into the different aspects surrounding Abdera, Spain, analyzing its impact and meaning in various areas.
Location | Spain |
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Region | Andalusia |
Coordinates | 36°45′N 3°01′W / 36.750°N 3.017°W |
Abdera was an ancient Carthaginian and Roman port on a hill above the modern Adra on the southeastern Mediterranean coast of Spain. It was located between Malaca (now Málaga) and Carthago Nova (now Cartagena) in the district inhabited by the Bastuli.
Abdera shares its name with a city in Thrace and another in North Africa. Its coins bore the inscription ʾBDRT (Punic: 𐤏𐤁𐤃𐤓𐤕). The first element in the name appears to be the Punic word for "servant" or "slave"; the second element seems shared by the Phoenician names for Gadir (now Cadiz) and Cythera but of unclear meaning.
It appears in Greek sources as tà Ábdēra (Greek: τὰ Ἄβδηρα) and Aúdēra (Αὔδηρα), Ábdara (Ἄβδαρα), and tò Ábdēron (τὸ Ἄβδηρον).
Abdera was founded in the 8th century BCE as a Phoenician colony. It became a Carthaginian trading station and, after a period of decline, became one of the more important towns in the Roman province of Hispania Baetica. Tiberius seems to have made the place a Roman colony.
The most ancient coins bear its name with the head of Melqart and a tuna. Coins from the time of Tiberius show the town's main temple with two erect tunas as its columns. Early Roman coins were bilingual with Latin inscriptions on one side stating the name of the emperor and the town and with Punic text on the other side simply stating the name of the town.