Spain and the Pillars of Hercules

Spain are European football champions for the 4th time, making them the most successful country in the history of the Euros, followed by Germany in second place with 3 wins, and then by Italy and France with 2 wins each. Let’s take a look at some special parts of Spanish history to celebrate.

Spain has interesting facts about its history with links to Greece and Greek mythology. Various cities in Spain started out as Greek colonies, and some cities such as Sevilla and Barcelona have legends about being founded by Hercules. The Spanish flag features the Spanish coat of arms which has the Pillars of Hercules on it. Let’s delve into the fascinating story of the Pillars of Hercules and their connection to the Spanish flag.

The Pillars of Hercules

The Pillars of Hercules refer to two prominent promontories located at the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar. These pillars have captured the imagination of people for centuries, blending myth and geography. Watch this video below to learn more about it, followed by some key points:

1. Origin and Mythology:
   • According to ancient Greek mythology, the hero Heracles (known as Hercules in Roman mythology) performed twelve labors as penance for killing his wife and children.
   • One of these labors involved seizing the cattle of the three-bodied giant Geryon.
   • As a memorial to this feat, Heracles supposedly set up the Pillars of Hercules at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea.
2. Geographical Reality:
   • The northern pillar is the Rock of Gibraltar, situated in Gibraltar itself.
   • The southern pillar has been identified as either Jebel Moussa (Musa) in Morocco or Mount Hacho (held by Spain) near the city of Ceuta (a Spanish exclave on the Moroccan coast).
3. Symbolism and Exploration:
   • The Pillars of Hercules have long symbolized the limits of the known world, marking the entrance to the Mediterranean.
   • Spanish explorers, driven by curiosity and ambition, ventured beyond these pillars to explore new lands.
   • The motto “Plus Ultra” (Latin for “further beyond”) associated with the pillars reflects this spirit of exploration.

The boardgame company Apeiron Games have a game called Pillars of Heracles which is inspired by the story and history of Hercules (spelled Heracles in Greek form). You can watch the videos below to learn more about that game:

The Spanish Flag and the Pillars

The incorporation of the Pillars of Hercules into the coat of arms of Spain is significant. Here’s how it happened:

1. Charles I and Luigi Marliano:
   • In the 16th century, Charles I of Spain (also known as Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor) adopted the Pillars of Hercules as supporters for the Spanish coat of arms.
   • The idea came from the Italian humanist Luigi Marliano.
   • The coat of arms featured the pillars alongside the motto “Plus Ultra,” emphasizing the idea of exploration and discovery.
2. Flag Symbolism:
   • The Spanish flag, under the Bourbon dynasty in the 17th and 18th centuries, prominently displayed the Pillars of Hercules.
   • The motto “Plus ultra” represented Spain’s explorations beyond the known world.