Lisbon

Lore & Background

Lisbon's precise origin of name is unknown, but it may derive from Proto-Celtic or Celtic Olisippo. Classical authors like Strabo, Solinus, and Martianus Capella referred to legends that the city was founded by the mythical hero Ulysses. The name was written Ulyssippo in Latin by Pomponius Mela, and later as Olisippo by Pliny the Elder. Another claim, that the name originates from a Phoenician term Alis-Ubbo meaning 'safe harbour', lacks any evidence and is never attested in ancient classical literature. Lisbon's name is commonly abbreviated as 'LX' or 'Lx', originating in an antiquated spelling as Lixbõa. During the Neolithic period, the region was inhabited by Pre-Celtic tribes who built megaliths, dolmens and menhirs. The Indo-European Celts invaded in the 1st millennium BC, mixing with the population to give rise to Celtic-speaking tribes like the Cempsi or Sefes. Recent archaeological finds show Iron Age people occupied the site from the 8th to 6th centuries BC, maintaining commercial relations with the Phoenicians. Excavations near the Castle of São Jorge and Lisbon Cathedral indicate a Phoenician presence since 1000 BC, and a Phoenician trading post stood on the southern slope of the Castle hill.

In Their Own Story

Following the defeat of Hannibal in 202 BC during the Punic wars, the Romans determined to deprive Carthage of Hispania. The defeat of Carthaginian forces by Scipio Africanus allowed the pacification of the west, led by Consul Decimus Junius Brutus Callaicus. Decimus obtained the alliance of Olisipo by integrating it into the empire as the Municipium Cives Romanorum Felicitas Julia. Local authorities were granted self-rule over a territory extending 50 km, exempt from taxes, and citizens were given Roman citizenship. The city was integrated with the Roman province of Lusitania. During Augustus' reign, the Romans built a great theatre, the Cassian Baths, temples to Jupiter, Diana, Cybele, Tethys and Idea Phrygiae, a large necropolis under Praça da Figueira, a large forum and insulae. The city prospered as piracy was eliminated, becoming a centre of trade with Britannia and the Rhine. Olisipo was known for its garum, wine, salt, and horse-breeding. The city was connected by a broad road to Bracara Augusta and Emerita Augusta. Olisipo was a centre for the dissemination of Christianity; its first attested Bishop was Potamius (c. 356), and there were martyrs Verissimus, Maxima, and Julia. After the disintegration of the Western Roman Empire, between 409 and 429 the city was occupied by Sarmatians, Alans and Vandals. The Germanic Suebi controlled the region until 585, when the Suebi Kingdom was integrated into the Visigothic Kingdom of Toledo. On 6 August 711, Lisbon was taken by Muslim forces of the Umayyad Caliphate, who built mosques and houses, rebuilt the city wall, and permitted the diverse population of Muwallads, Arabs, Berbers, Mozarabs, Saqaliba, and Jews to maintain their lifestyles. Mozarabic was the native language of most Christians, though Arabic was widely spoken.

Reader's Guide

As the political centre of Portugal, Lisbon hosts the government, Assembly of the Republic, Supreme Court of Justice, Armed Forces and residence of the head of state. It is the centre of Portuguese diplomacy, with ambassadors from 86 countries residing in the city, as well as representations from Taiwan and Palestine. About 3.35 million people live in the Lisbon metropolitan area, making it the third largest metropolitan area in the Iberian Peninsula after Madrid and Barcelona, and among the 10 most populous urban areas in the European Union. It represents approximately 28% of the country's population. Lisbon is recognised as an alpha− level global city for its importance in finance, commerce, fashion, media, entertainment, arts, international trade, education, and tourism. It is one of two Portuguese cities recognised as a global city, and is home to three companies in the Global 2000: EDP Group, Galp Energia and Jerónimo Martins. Lisbon is one of the major economic centres in Europe, with a growing financial sector; PSI-20 is part of Euronext, the largest centre for debt and funds listings in the world. The Lisbon region has a GDP PPP per capita of US$179 billion or $61,713 per capita, higher than any other region in Portugal. The city is the 40th richest city in the world by gross earnings. Most headquarters of multinational corporations in Portugal are located in the Lisbon area.

Did You Know?

• Lisbon is the second-oldest European capital city, after Athens.
• The city was known as Olisipo under the Romans and was granted the name Felicitas Julia by Julius Caesar.
• Lisbon was captured by Muslim forces of the Umayyad Caliphate on 6 August 711.
• The Lisbon metropolitan area represents approximately 28% of Portugal's population.
• The city's name is commonly abbreviated as 'LX' or 'Lx', originating from the antiquated spelling Lixbõa.