---
title: Gades
author: Donald L. Wasson
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Gades/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2025-01-07
---
# Gades
_Authored by [Donald L. Wasson](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/DWasson/)_
Gades (modern-day Cadiz, Spain) was an ancient [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) located on the island of Erytheia, northwest of Gibraltar at the tip of the Iberian Peninsula and is believed to be one of the most ancient [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) still standing in Western [Europe](https://www.worldhistory.org/europe/). Although some sources place its founding by the [Phoenicians](https://www.worldhistory.org/phoenicia/) of [Tyre](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tyre/) in the eighth century BCE, other historical records claim that the city was established earlier, around 1100 BCE, as a seasonal trading post, providing the Phoenicians with access to the vast mineral wealth of the area. While historians accept the Phoenician settlement as fact, the ancient Greeks and Romans consider another possibility, believing the site to have been founded as a result of one of the twelve labours of the mythological son of [Zeus](https://www.worldhistory.org/zeus/), [Hercules](https://www.worldhistory.org/hercules/).
According to the legend, based upon the writings of the [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) lyric poet [Pindar](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pindar/), Hercules murdered his wife and children during an insane rage brought about by the jealous goddess [Hera](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hera/). He appealed to the [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) [Apollo](https://www.worldhistory.org/apollo/) and was made to atone for his misdeeds by performing twelve nearly impossible labours. Among these labours (the tenth) was one calling for him to capture the cattle of the three-headed monster Geryon and take them to Eurystheus, the king of [Mycenae](https://www.worldhistory.org/mycenae/). This labour would take Hercules to the ends of the known world where he would eventually erect what became known as the Pillars of Hercules, the Gates of Cadiz or Gades. During the capture of the cattle, or so the legend says, Hercules built a huge mountain and when he split it apart he brought about the separation of the continents of Europe and [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/), thereby connecting the [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/) Sea to the Atlantic Ocean via the Strait of Gibraltar.
In actuality the city became a battleground for control of the western Mediterranean Sea. With the decline of the Phoenicians in the east and the rise of [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/) in the west, the status of Gadir (as it was originally called) shifted, and in 500 BCE, the city was captured by Carthage and made part of their growing [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/). During the [Second Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Second_Punic_War/) between Carthage and [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) (218-201 BCE), the Carthaginians understood the benefits of the city's location and made it their first Spanish base. Carthage plundered the surrounding area for its resources in their futile attempt to repel Rome. As with its sister city ([Carthago Nova](https://www.worldhistory.org/Carthago_Nova/)) to the east, the city was relieved when, in 206 BCE, it was captured by [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) legions under the leadership of [Scipio Africanus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Scipio_Africanus/).
After the end of the [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) and the removal of the Carthaginian threat, the newly acquired city prospered under Roman rule. Its location was both beneficial economically (with its production of fish sauce) as well as strategically in its role as a naval base, as the city had a long history of shipbuilding. Since the city had supported [Julius Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/Julius_Caesar/) against his nemesis [Pompey](https://www.worldhistory.org/pompey/), he granted the city municipal status in 49 BCE and changed its name to Gades, (this was later reaffirmed by [Augustus](https://www.worldhistory.org/augustus/)); the city's new colony became Urba Iulia Gaditana.
However, as the [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/) declined, so did the importance and commercial value of the city and little else is mentioned in later Roman Empire records except for the fact that Emperor [Hadrian](https://www.worldhistory.org/hadrian/)'s mother was born there. With the eventual fall of the Empire, the city was overrun and much of it was destroyed by the [Visigoths](https://www.worldhistory.org/visigoth/) in 410 CE. Although it was later conquered by the [Byzantine Emperor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantine_Emperor/) Justinian in 550 CE in his attempt to reunite the Old Roman Empire, his successors failed to maintain influence and the Visigoths retook the city in 572 CE. They, too, were unable to keep control and from 711 to 1262 CE the city came under the jurisdiction of the Moors.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- Bagwell, R.S. et al. *Encyclopedia of Ancient History.* Wiley-Blackwell, London, 2012
- Hornblower, S. *Oxford Classical Dictionary.* Oxford University Press, 1996
- Seton-Williams, M.V. *Greek Legends and Stories.* Barnes and Noble Books, 1993
## About the Author
Donald has taught Ancient, Medieval and U.S. History at Lincoln College (Normal, Illinois)and has always been and will always be a student of history, ever since learning about Alexander the Great. He is eager to pass knowledge on to his students.
## Timeline
- **c. 1110 BCE**: Traditional founding date for the Phoenician colony of [Gades](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gades/) ([Cadiz](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gades/)).
- **1100 BCE**: Founding of [Gades](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gades/) by [Phoenicians](https://www.worldhistory.org/phoenicia/).
- **500 BCE**: [Gades](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gades/) captured by [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/).
- **237 BCE**: [Hamilcar Barca](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hamilcar_Barca/) arrives in southern Spain to expand [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/)'s interests there. He makes his base at [Gades](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gades/) and founds Acra Leuce.
- **206 BCE - 205 BCE**: The Romans [conquer](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/) [Gades](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gades/). End of the Carthaginian presence on the Iberian Peninsula.
- **49 CE**: [Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/caesar/) changed name of Gadir to [Gades](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gades/).
- **410 CE**: [Gades](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gades/) captured by [Visigoths](https://www.worldhistory.org/visigoth/).
- **550 CE**: [Gades](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gades/) captured by Justinian.
- **711 CE**: [Gades](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gades/) overtaken by Moors.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Wasson, D. L. (2013, March 08). Gades. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Wasson, Donald L.. "Gades." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 08, 2013. .
### MLA
Wasson, Donald L.. "Gades." *World History Encyclopedia*, 08 Mar 2013, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Donald L. Wasson](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/DWasson/ "User Page: Donald L. Wasson"), published on 08 March 2013. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.