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Italica (Santiponce)

Unless otherwise indicated, pictures on this page © Marco Prins and Jona Lendering. Photos can be downloaded and used for non-commercial purposes, but you have to acknowledge Livius.

This portrait bust, like all pictures on this page, can be admired in the Museo Arqueológico of nearby Seville. It shows Galba, a Roman senator who was governor of one of the Spanish provinces during the reign of Nero. Many governors were discontent and Galba's colleague in Gaul, Julius Vindex, revolted, proclaiming Galba emperor. This happened in 68, and the Senate recognized him after Nero's suicide. His reign was cut short in January 69, when he was lynched. Veterans of Galba's favorite Seventh legion were settled in Italica.

Bust of Domitian. Museo Arqueológico, Sevilla (Spain). Photo Marco Prins.

The emperor Domitian, the son of Vespasian and brother of Titus, who unexpectedly became emperor in 81 and had a tragic reign, which lasted until he was murderderd in 96.

The Italicans had a great many cults. This statue shows Diana, the goddess of the forests and patron of the hunters. She was a "normal" Roman deity.

Fortuna, on the other hand, is not a real Roman goddess. In fact, her name is a mere translation of Greek Tyche, 'fate'. She shares her attribute, a crown in the shape of a city wall, with the Phrygian mother goddess Cybele. The statue to which this head once belonged has not survived, so we cannot make make a choice between the two possible represented deities. However, it is clear that the Italicans venerated a goddess from the east.

A relief showing Anubis and the Phoenix bird. Italica, Spain. Photo Marco Prins.

This picture shows an Egyptian deity (dressed in a Roman toga), and an ibis. It is likely that the sculptor wanted to depict Anubis and the phoenix bird. They would have been a nice couple: Anubis represents death and the phoenix stands for the eternal life.

The next four pictures represent the fine decoration of a column that was once in the theater of Italica. The second figure represents a satyr, the other three are dancing maenads (ecstatic women). Satyrs and maenads are associated with the cult of the Greek god Dionysus, who, in his Athenian form, protected tragedy and comedy.

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