Southern Spain is known for its stunning landscapes, sun-drenched beaches, and historic cities adorned with Moorish architecture.
Walking through Andalusia today, you might not realize that this region played a significant part in the Roman Empire: it is the birthplace of three Roman emperors, whose legacies still echo in the area’s ancient ruins and rich cultural heritage.
Let’s go back in time to explore Southern Spain’s fascinating Roman past.
Related read: The Best Places to Visit in Andalucía
In a hurry? Book this private tour of Italica
Private Italica Tour | Origins of the Emperors: Explore the ancient Roman city of Italica and the Countess de Lebrija’s 16th-century palace-museum on a private guided tour with transport included.
➡️ Visit Italica and the Lebrija Palace with a private guide and transport.
➡️ Explore Game of Thrones filming locations.
➡️ Discover Italica’s ancient mosaics, amphitheatre, baths, and mansions.
➡️ Tour the Lebrija Palace museum and its archaeological treasures.
The Roman Legacy in Andalusia, Southern Spain
The ancient province of Baetica, located in modern-day Southern Spain, was one of the wealthiest parts of the Roman Empire. Its fertile lands produced olive oil, wine, and wheat, which were exported across the empire. From this prosperous region emerged three emperors—Trajan, Hadrian, and Theodosius I—each leaving an enduring legacy in Roman history.
The 3 Emperors of Southern Spain
Trajan: The First Emperor from Baetica
Trajan was the first Roman emperor born outside of Italy, in a city called Italica, near what is now Seville. His reign lasted from 98 AD to 117 AD, a time which is often remembered as one of the empire’s most prosperous periods. Under Trajan, Rome’s territory grew to its greatest extent, stretching from Britain to the Middle East.
A visit to the archaeological site of Italica offers a glimpse into the grandeur of the Roman Empire’s frontier, with its impressive amphitheater, intricate mosaics, and well-preserved streets.
Hadrian: The Builder Emperor
Hadrian, the successor and adopted son of Trajan, was also born in Italica. Hadrian’s reign was marked by his efforts to consolidate rather than expand. That being said, you may be familiar with Hadrian’s Wall, an archaeological ruin in England. Hadrian’s influence stretched across the Roman Empire.
He was a lover of architecture and Greek culture and his legacy lives on through the numerous buildings he constructed across the empire, from the iconic Pantheon in Rome and his lavish villa in Tivoli. Visiting Southern Spain today, his influence remains, particularly in Italica, which he transformed with impressive construction projects across the city.
Theodosius I: The Last Emperor of a United Rome
Unlike Trajan and Hadrian, Theodosius I was born in Cauca: modern-day Coca, near Segovia. As the last emperor to rule over both the eastern and western halves of the Roman Empire, Theodosius is most renowned for making Christianity the official religion of the empire.
Though the division of the empire marked his reign, his impact on shaping Europe’s religious landscape endures to this day.
Visit Italica: A Step Back in Time
No exploration of Southern Spain’s Roman history would be complete without a visit to Italica, just a short drive from Seville. Our exclusive, guided tour offers a personalized journey through this ancient city, which was founded in 206 BC by the Roman general Scipio Africanus and greatly developed by Hadrian.
Accompanied by your private guide, you’ll learn all about Italica’s magnificent history as you admire the stunning ruins, including its well-preserved amphitheater, which once held 25,000 spectators. Intricate mosaics that adorned the homes of the city’s elite are well preserved and gorgeous to behold.
Once you’ve fully experienced Italica you should head to Lebrija Palace in central Seville. This magnificent 16th-century house has been repurposed as a museum. It is filled with archeological treasures from Italica and offers a glimpse into the blended history of the Roman Empire and Andalusia—an unmissable experience for history lovers and the perfect way to round out your understanding of this phenomenal archeological site.
Price: €589 (for two people)
Duration: 3 hours
Included:
- Private 5-star tour guide
- Transportation between sites
- Hotel pick up
- Entrance tickets to Italica
- Entrance tickets to Lebrija Palace
- Tour of Italica
- Italica Amphitheatre
- Filming locations of Game of Thrones
- Tour of Lebrija Palace
- Italica mosaics and artefacts
For those interested in the rich, complex history of the Roman Empire, Southern Spain offers a unique opportunity to explore its ancient past. From the ruins of Italica to the vibrant cities of Seville and Cordoba, where Roman architecture and history still influence the culture, this region invites visitors to step back in time.
Walking through these ancient streets, you’ll feel the echoes of emperors who once ruled the world, their legacy immortalized in the stones beneath your feet.
