Via Heraclea

The Via Heraclea, (Heraclea or Heraklea), Heraklean Way was an important historic road that ran along the Iberian Peninsula from at least the sixth century BC. Much of its design is the direct ancestor of the Roman Via Augusta. It was used mainly for the trade between the Greek colonies of the Spanish Levante and the territories of Turdetania (Hispania Baetica, Andalusia).

Route

The Iberian peninsula in 125 CE, showing the Via Augusta by its other name, Via Herculea

The route started in the Hellenic Iberian ports of Akra Leuke (Alicante), Alonis (Villajoyosa) and Hēmeroskopeion (Denia). It passed through the modern province of Albacete to Sierra Morena and into the territory of Turdetania (Tartessos), Hispania Baetica which approximates with modern Andalusia. South of the current city of Ciudad Real and Albacete, it formed a trading link to the mines of the Guadalquivir and Guadiana. The route from Sierra Morena went to Oretana, entering the capital Castulo (near present Linares), or from the east by the city of Obulco (now Porcuna). The route continued south reaching Kart-Iuba (Karduba) (Córdoba) and Spalis (Seville).

See also

• Via Augusta