The Name of Barcelona
The origin or the root of Barcelona's name has led to numerous polemics through the course of history. The mythical etimology plays an important role, and the people have connected the name to the legend of the city's foundation.
One of the legend that gives us an explanation of why Barcelona receives this name is related with the mythical hero Hercules.
It has been told that many, many years ago, Hercules decided to embark on a trip that would take him from Libia to the city that today we know as Barcelona. He took many boats with him.
When he finally arrived at our coast his boat got stranded, which was the ninth one, and the one that would give Barcelona its name: "Barca-nona" , which means "ninth boat".
Another legend tells us that Barcelona has the name of a Carthaginian Amilcar Barca ( his Roman name was Amilcar Barcino ).
He was born in Cartago. He took part in a war and directed the repression of the mercenaries that were against the Carthaginian state.
He founded the city of Akra Leuké, near Alicant, which became the operation center of his army.
While he tried to invade Elche ( Elx ), Orission, head of the Elche people, attacked him, and made him stop the invasion.
Amilcar drowned in the river near Elche when he tried to scape. This happened in the year 228 b.c. Asdrubal, his son-in-law, took Amilcar's position.
There's a tradition that confers Amilcar Barcelona's foundation. That's why it was called Barcino at the very beginning, even thought this idea doesn't have a historical foundation.
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