Signet Ring 2
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Phoenicians
Signet Ring
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_Of material evidence of early Iberian Jewry, representing a particularly early presence is a signet ring found at Cadiz,
dating from the 8th–7th century BCE The inscription on the ring,
generally accepted as Phoenician, has been interpreted by a few scholars
to be "paleo-hebraic" (Bowers, p.396). Among the early Spanish items of more reliably Jewish origins is an amphora which is at least as old as the 1st century. Although this vessel is not from the Spanish mainland (it was recovered from Ibiza, in the Balearic Islands),
the imprint upon it of two Hebrew characters attests to Jewish contact,
either direct or indirect, with the area at this time. Two trilingual
Jewish inscriptions from Tarragona and Tortosa have been variously dated from the 2nd century BCE to the 6th century. (Bowers, p.396.) There is also the tombstone inscription from Adra (formerly Abdera) of a Jewish girl named Salomonula, which dates to the early 3rd century (Encyclopaedia Judaica, p.221).
Spanish Empire
Tartessos
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Gibraltar
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Ships of Tarshish
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Built Shrines
and
Roman Rule
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History of Gibraltar
Gibraltar viewed from the south in 1852 The history of Gibraltar spans over 100,000 years, making the Rock of Gibraltar and the surrounding area one of the longest inhabited places in Europe. It was inhabited during prehistoric times by Neanderthals and may represent one of their last settlements before their extinction some 24,000 years ago. Its recorded history began with the Phoenicians around 950 BC. The Carthaginians and Romans also visited and are said to have built shrines there, though they did not settle.
Gibraltar viewed from the south in 1852 The history of Gibraltar spans over 100,000 years, making the Rock of Gibraltar and the surrounding area one of the longest inhabited places in Europe. It was inhabited during prehistoric times by Neanderthals and may represent one of their last settlements before their extinction some 24,000 years ago. Its recorded history began with the Phoenicians around 950 BC. The Carthaginians and Romans also visited and are said to have built shrines there, though they did not settle.
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House of Habsburg
History of Gibraltar
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After a brief period of Visigothic rule following the collapse of the Roman Empire, Gibraltar was conquered by the Moors in 711 AD. The Kingdom of Castile annexed it in 1309, lost it in 1333 and finally regained it in 1462, subsequently incorporating it into the unified Kingdom of Spain. It remained under Spanish rule until 1704, when it was captured by an Anglo-Dutch fleet in the name of the Habsburg ruler Charles VI. Following Charles' death, Gibraltar was ceded by Spain to the British and became one of Britain's key colonies in the Mediterranean Sea.
Spain subsequently sought to restore its sovereignty over Gibraltar through military, diplomatic and economic pressure. During the wars of the 18th century between Britain and Spain, Gibraltar was besieged and bombarded for extended periods but the attacks were successfully repulsed. The colony grew rapidly during the 19th century as Gibraltar became a key British naval base and stopping point for vessels en route to India via the Suez Canal.
Spain subsequently sought to restore its sovereignty over Gibraltar through military, diplomatic and economic pressure. During the wars of the 18th century between Britain and Spain, Gibraltar was besieged and bombarded for extended periods but the attacks were successfully repulsed. The colony grew rapidly during the 19th century as Gibraltar became a key British naval base and stopping point for vessels en route to India via the Suez Canal.
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British Rule
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During the 20th century, Gibraltar played a vital role in the Second World War by enabling the British to control the entrance to the Mediterranean. The Spanish dictator General Francisco Franco revived Spain's claim to the territory after the war, imposing restrictions on travel and severing communications links with Gibraltar. The Spanish claim was pursued through the United Nations under the aegis of decolonization. Spain's position was supported by Latin American countries but was rejected by Britain and the Gibraltarians themselves, who vigorously asserted their right to self-determination. Negotiations over Gibraltar's status have continued between Britain and Spain but have not reached any conclusion.