Tartessos

Tartessos (also Tartessus) was a harbor city on the south coast of the Iberian peninsula (in modern Andalusia, Spain), at the mouth of the Guadalquivir river. Tartessos at least dates from 1000 BC, about the time when the Phoenicians made contact with the city. However, the city likely began at an unknown, earlier date. The Tartessians were traders, who may have discovered the route to the Tin Islands (Britain or more precisely the Scilly Islands). Trade in Tin was very lucrative in this era since it was necessary for the production of bronze, and the people from Tartessos became important trading partners of the Phoenicians, who nearby built a harbor of their own, Gades (current-day Cádiz). Ancient Greek texts refer to a legendary king of Tartessos, Arganthonios, known for his wealth in silver and minerals. Greek texts say Arganthonios lived many years beyond the normal human lifespan, but Arganthonios may have been the name of several Tartessian kings or their title, giving rise to legends of a single man's longevity. Artifacts linked with the Tartessos culture have been found, but the site of the Tartessos' city is lost.

Related Topics:
Iberian peninsula - Andalusia - Spain - Guadalquivir - Phoenicia - Britain - Scilly Islands - Tin - Era - Bronze - Cádiz - Greek - Arganthonios

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