itálica

Itálica is an ancient Roman city and archaeological site located near Santiponce, in the province of Seville, Andalusia, Spain. It stands on the left bank of the Guadalquivir (ancient Betis) and was founded in 206 BCE as Colonia Iulia Itálica by Scipio Africanus to settle veterans of the Second Punic War and to extend Roman influence in Hispania. Itálica grew into one of the earliest major urban settlements in the region and played a key role in the Romanization of southern Hispania.

The site is notable for its connection to the early Roman Empire, including the birth of the emperor Hadrian, who is traditionally said to have been born in Itálica in the 1st century CE. Archaeological remains reflect a typical Roman urban layout, with a forum, curia, baths, and a large theatre and amphitheatre that underscore the city’s public and entertainment functions.

Among the enduring monuments are a large amphitheatre dating to the late Republic or early Empire, which is one of the largest and best-preserved in Hispania, as well as extensive residential areas featuring mosaic floors. The so-called House of the Birds (Casa de los Pájaros) is among the most famous mosaic-bearing houses at Itálica.

Decline began in late antiquity as the western Roman world contracted and urban life shifted elsewhere. The site was gradually abandoned, though it remained a focus of occasional occupation and agricultural use for centuries. Modern interest began in the 18th–19th centuries, leading to systematic excavations that revealed a substantial portion of the ancient city. Today Itálica is an important archaeological park and a valuable resource for understanding Roman urban planning in Hispania.