Pujades 20

Pujades Chronicle of Catalonia 1609

1. When Hercules departed to Italy, he left in Spain, as has been said, Híspalus: as Berosus writes about him, and Annius, Juan Sedeño, Alfonso de Cartagena, Lucio Marinéo, Estéban Forcátulo, and Juan Pineda. Some authors such as Tomic, our doctors Marquilles and Vallseca, Diego de Valera and Juan Socarrats say that Hercules left Hispan in Spain, but the most common opinion is that he left Hispalus, and so write it in addition to the aforementioned writers Bartolomé Casaneo, Garibay, Tarafa, Florian, Beuter and Viladamor, and we cannot say that Hispan and Híspalus are all one, both because of the difference that the writers make between the two, and because of what will be seen in this and the next chapter.

2. This Hispalus was the son of Hercules, and from him this land was named Spain. And he founded or augmented the old city of Seville, naming it Hispalis, and of this foundation I have already spoken above in chapter nineteen. Hispalus had a daughter named Iliberia, according to Annius. And Florian and Viladamor write that Annius himself says the land Iberia was named after Iliberia, taking its name from her. I do not know if I have been deceived, or if it was missing in my volume, because I have not been able to find it, and I believe I have already spoken about this in the twelfth chapter.

[Anderson says he "govern'd that part of Spain near the Straits, for the Middle Country had not been much distress'd by these foreign Invasions." He gives the daughter's name as Granata rather than Iliberia, both referring to a site in Andalusia.

Some time after Celtes had come to the throne in Samothea, renaming it Celtica, there was a fire in the Pyrenees, which may have exposed some silver mines. Celtes was allied with Hercules and had given him his daughter Galathea in marriage, producing his heir and grandson, Hercules' son, prince Galathes. It was probably during Hispalus' reign that Celtes sent large numbers of colonists over the Pyrenees to settle in Iberia, becoming the Celtiberians; apparently without objection from Hercules as it was likely a bride-price.]

3. The power and government of Híspalus began, according to Damian Goes and Felipe Garcia (in the genealogies of the Kings of Spain) in the year 590 of the Deluge, and as Pineda says, it ran the year 2246 of the Creation of the world. Beuter says that he was the year 607 after the Flood, and 1717 before Christ. Florian says that it was the year 589 after the Flood, and 1716 BC, and 308 after the population of Spain. And they are not less disagreeable in pointing out the time that Hispalus lived after the departure of Hercules; because Viladamor says it was 7 years, Beuter says 18, Florian says 16, Annius, Medina, Goes, Garcia and Tarafa say 17. And I don't know how we will be able to keep a good account of so much variety from now on. It is necessary to leave it, as other times, to the good judgment of the reader.

[Swinton, Stevens, Anderson and Beawes all agree on a 17 year reign, dated 1717-1700 BC by Stevens and 1722-1705 BC by Anderson.

*Defloratio* does not specify another firm date in Spain until the 29th year of Altades (Shulgi of Ur), when Hercules returned to Spain, or 1929 BC. Hispalus' son Hispanus is said in other sources to have succeeded him and ruled 32 years until his grandfather returned, in which case his father Hispalus ruled from 1994 to 1962 BC, also about 32 years. Perhaps the years that were added to the Lomnimi by later authors were subtracted from Hispalus, but the liberation of Spain and start of Hispalus must be placed around 1994 BC from the data in *Defloratio* as well what is known of the chronology of Mentuhotep II and IV in Egypt.]

### Chapter 21

*Treating on Hispan, and how the land was named Spain.*

1. With the death of Hispalus, Hispan succeeded him in the government and lordship of Spain, as noted by Dr Casaneo. And of him Beuter, Tarafa, Viladamor in the manuscript, Florian, Medina, Juan Pineda, and Garibay affirm, that he was the son of Hispalus; and that is why Lucio Marinéo calls him the grandson of Hercules. The great variety that exists in pointing out the beginning of the kingdom and government of Hispan, the reader will recognize from what is expressed at the end of the previous chapter, and he will know that I should not stop at this.

2. Many things are written, and are recorded about this Hispan, which can be seen in the aforementioned authors. But I will pass briefly, referring only to the most essential. Diego de Valeran, Tomic, Guillermo de Vallseca, Jaime Marquilles, Marinéo, Medina, Annius, Alfonso de Cartagena, Damian Goes, Felipe Garcia, Pineda, Garibay, S Antonino and Juan Socarrats, say that from this name the land began to be named Hispania, leaving the names of Iberia and Hispalia by changing the l to n, as Beuter says. But D Antonio Agustin says that other authors gave a different etymology to this name Hispania, because he says that in Greek it was named Spania, which means sparsely populated land and few buildings. But this does not please the same D Antonio Agustin who mentions it, because he says that in Greek this does not sound like this. But let's hurry more the derivation of this name with Ambrosio de Morales, who in his Description of Spain says that this man was called Pan, and that the Greeks use a diction His, which sounds and is worth as much as saying 'that of', and so by joining or adding this diction His, with that of Pan, they make Hispan and everything together means that of bread, or what is of bread, and thus the whole land was called Hispania, which is almost like saying the land of bread. D Antonio himself also makes mention of this, and spells the diction is with h, and it sounds His, but he has it all as a fable, attributing it to the invention of D Diego de Mendoza, who tried more to refine than to prove what he was saying. But I am persuaded that Mendoza was not the author of this, but that he wrote it without wanting to name the author, that it was Sosthenes on Plutarch, as it seems from the Master Pedro Juan Nuñez who refers to him and continues. And truly, having known these two highly learned and literate men, Agustin and Nuñez, to find them so different, since they were not ignorant of the Greek language, as can be seen from their works, and that Nuñez was a professor and teacher of the Greek language, in this General School and University of Barcelona, ​​they are circumstances capable of stopping the speech of any man, about the disagreement of the two in the matter.

But if we are to appreciate this opinion of Sosthenes about Plutarch, followed by Pedro Juan Nuñez as explained, we can say that from the same King the mountains of Pani and Panida in the Ampurdan above Rosas, Cadaqués, and Llansá took their name; and Panizas, between Ampurdan and Roussillon, near Portús or Pertus.

3. But be it one or the other, the common opinion is that Spain took its name from this Hispan. And the Chaldeans do not disagree much with this; because Garibay says they name her Sphamia. The Syrians Hisphamio or Sphanio. And we and all the other nations say España, preserving in any case the similarity with the name of Hispan: which seems to be preserved more fully in the Latin language, which names the land Hispania, and its natives Hispanos. This is the origin of the name so celebrated, and feared by the whole world, and which dominates in all four parts. God prospered it for His holy service.

4. Because the land took the name of this Hispan, what Viladamor and Alfonso de Cartagena say would have its origin; that this Hispan was the first King of Spain, who was named King. This seems to be what Diego de Valera understands, as he informs the devoted Catholic and never well praised Queen Doña Isabélla, to whom the Chronicle is directed; and look in this place how old are the Kings of Spain. But my father, Dr. Miguel Pujades, in his Treatise on Precedents, resolves with very serious authors that have long been related there, that the beginning of the Kings of Spain is from Tubal, who was already entitled King; so that Kings of Spain are older than these writers have wanted to point out. Most historians claim that Hispan died without children and without a legitimate successor, except for Tarafa and Alfonso de Cartagena, who say he had a daughter named Hiberia, and that she founded the city of Iliberia, which today is called Granada, or by nearby in the same kingdom. However, this Hiberia or Iliberia, is already referred to above as some daughter of Hispalus. And because what is said about her is apocryphal, and outside of my land and my intent, I will not make more mention of her.

[Anderson says Hispanus "was the first that wore a Royal Diadem, and built Towers in the Island Tarlesse and in Gallicia; but others with more Reason say, that the Towers in Gallicia were built by Augustus Caesar." Tarlesse is likely a misprint for Tartesse, supposed to be in the mouth of the Baetis. He also notes that some call Granata the daughter, rather than sister of Hispanus.]

5. Tomic says of this Hispan that he died in this city of Barcelona, ​​and that his body was placed in a monument or grave, which he says is in the highest place in Barcelona behind the Seo. But since there are different opinions about which building is behind the Seo, I will try to satisfy all of them below in the best way I can.

6. Hispan reigned, according to Beuter, Goes and Garcia 32 years, or 31 according to Garibay, or 30 only according to Annius. And I notice that according to Florian, the Chronicles of Spain that King D Alonso ordered to compile, and those who follow them, at least disagree with this account in 156 years ahead. Beuter says at that time, according to Berosus and Annius, the great fire of the Pyrenees happened: but because the most common opinion is that it was some years after the great dryness, that is why I will not say anything here, and I will reserve it for more below (book 2 chap 5). And although Alfonso de Cartagena also puts the dry one from Spain here, I will not talk about it here either, because the others put it in the place that I will put it, which will be in the second chapter second book.

[Stevens, Anderson and Beawes all agree that Hispanus ruled 32 years, dated 1700-1668 BC (Stevens) or 1705-1673 BC (Anderson). Swinton gives him only 31, adding that his capital was at Gades (Cadiz).

*Defloratio* does not include any entry for Hispanus, but the end of his reign and the return of his grandfather Hercules Lybicus being placed in ca. 1929 BC means Hispanus' 32 years began in around 1962 BC.]

### Chapter 22

*Referring to how Hercules Lybicus came a second time to Spain, and the towns he founded.*

1. It is already written above how Oron Lybicus known as Hercules, after the Geriones died, went to Italy. While there, Berosus, Annus, Lucio Marinéo, Garibay, Pineda and Viladamor, say that after having made many conquests by dint of many works, he learned of the death of his grandson Hispan without children, as has been said above; and then straightaway returned to Spain, suspicious that some news would happen there due to the lack of succession. Tarafa says this second coming of Hercules was during the lifetime of Hispan his grandson, which would be the year 1678 before the coming of Christ our Lord, according to Eusebius' account; and agreeing with him in this Annius, continuing the account, says it was the year 406 of the settlement of Spain, and 636 of the Deluge. But neither this account, nor the coming of Hercules in Hispan's life, is followed by the others, but considering that Hercules came after Hispan's death, they say that he arrived in Spain in the year 640 after the Flood, and with this account Beuter, Goes, and Felipe García agree.

[Stevens gives the date 1668 BC for the return of Hercules to rule Hispania after his grandson Hispanus. Anderson dates this to 1673 BC.

My own estimate is 1929 BC, which is equivalent to 483 years after Tubal settled Spain, and 826 years after the Deluge. Fixing the start and end of Hercules' reign in Hispania is complicated by several factors discussed after the end of this chapter.]

2. In this second coming, Hercules having left Tuscus in Italy, according to Sedeño, write Florian, Annius, and the others already alleged, that he also left as Governor and Captain of all Italy a very famous companion of his, named Atlas Italus or Atlant Italus. And although it seems that Annius thinks this Captain came with Hercules, I admit that he has forgotten what he already had written: and thus Garibay and the others agree that Italus stayed in Italy; and that from then on all the land previously known by the name of Oenotria, began to be named Italy as it is now named; and it is proved not only with the arguments that Annius uses for this, but also with what Marsilio, S Antonino and Hartman Schadel say, in the verses of the first book of Virgil's Aeneid, since they say the same thing. And although he seems out of character for our main intent, he has agreed to write it down for the reasons that will be noticed in their places.

Once Hercules left Atlas or Atlant Italus in Italy, he took the road to Spain, bringing in his company many people whom he gathered in various parts of Italy, and he also brought with him a brother of Italus, who was named Hesperus according to what most agree of those already mentioned. But about the path that Hercules took, and where he came, there is some diversity. Diego de Valera says he came from Italy to Spain by sea. Pedro Antonio Beuter, Florian, Medina and Viladamor say that he came by land, visiting the coasts of Italy and France, which he encountered while passing, and on the way. These opinions, although they seem diverse, may perhaps be agreed, understanding that Hercules would bring armed by land and sea, or that walking by sea, from coast to coast, he would land from time to time in the towns of the marina and coast, or otherwise, in the way I will say below.

3. The aforementioned historians continue the path of Hercules by land, they say that at the point that he entered the limits of Spain, in the Pyrenees mountains, he built a town in memory of his Libyan nation. Which, according to the same authors, and with them Mariana and Francisco Tarafa, he named Líbica or Libia, and later was called Julia Líbica, whereof Archbishop D Rodrigo mentions. And Florian, Medina and Garibay say about it that the vestiges still last, although very crumbling, giving a good indication of what it was; and they add that it was near Puigcerdá, and that the word was somewhat corrupted, it was named in the day Linza. But I do not know that there is any town called Linza around that area, so I am persuaded that they are mistaken in the expression, because in my judgment it will be the town called Vinza. For, in the Maresma on the slope of the Pyrenees, between Cap de Creus and La Selva, there is either Linza or Llanzá. But up there I do not understand that there is any town called Linza, but it is Vinza. Although, Vinza is not the town of Líbia either, but the one of whom Viladamor says that it still retains part of the old name, calling itself Libia (a town of some seventy houses a little more or less) in the Vall de Carol, or near there, not far from Puigcerdá, since there is no more distance than a league, although Viladamor, deceived of some relationship, said that it was seven leagues from Puigcerdá. But I will not deny that Llanzá is from the time of Hercules, because it could very well be that from Libya, visiting and discovering the land, or recognizing it, or having it visited by one of his Captains, and by the people who followed him, he sent some by those same mountains towards our Mediterranean Sea, and built Llanzá. As among others, he sent the Tuscans or Toscanos from Italy to those parts, where they made many settlements; and especially as Francisco Compte wants, they settled Cervera, Banyuls del Mar and Banyuls de los Aspres, Argeles, El Boló, La Clusa, Portús, Thor, Prats, Castellnou, Rusino or Roussillon. They also settled in Cerdaña Toza, the Vall de Toza, Bar, the Pont de Bar, Alx. And in Conflent at Mozet, Pi, Sorra, and Rodes. And the reason Francisco Compte gives as proof of this is that those towns or their like are in Tuscany. For the same reason, perhaps not without cause, we could also say that the town of Toza, on the shore of the sea among our Gerundenses, was a population of those Tuscans, as was that of Cerdaña.

4. Other men and Captains of the company of Hercules, who were Illyrians, Francisco Compte himself says that they founded Bula, Torranera, Vernet, Tazó, and all along the banks of the Tech river, named Illiris. All of which he infers, as I have said, from the resemblance of the peoples to be found in those regions.

5. On the other hand, and with other companies of people, Hercules descended from the mountains to the plains, and in it towards Poniente he founded the city of Urgél, according to what Tarafa, Garibay and Beuter, Medina, Viladamor, Archbishop D Rodrigo, Juan de Mariana, Francisco Compte, and our practical Catalan doctors Vallseca and Marquilles say. Although Pliny, who is followed by Laurencio Valla, has claimed otherwise, as I have said above. There is no shortage of people who also say that Hercules founded the city of Balaguer, which is between the cities of Lleida and Urgél, next to the current of the Segre river. Tomic, Marquilles and Vallseca write about its foundation; but neither did Laurencio Valla like this, nor did he owe Beuter any pleasure, since he lays the foundation of this much more modern city.

6. The reason Hercules had for naming the two cities of Urgél and Balaguer with these names, say the aforementioned writers, was the following. On the foundation of Urgel, because it had some battles and war functions, which could not be excused or avoided; before that, they squeezed him so much that it was an urgent necessity to go through them. And as he later retired on the hill, at the foot of which he founded Balaguer, which is two days from the Seo de Urgél, seeing that the war was still raging on the plain, he exclaimed, saying with a great cry: o quám urgens bellum , as if to say: oh what an urgent war or battle! And they say that for this reason the land where the battle took place was called Urgél, and from here the city took the name of the Seo de Urgél, as one who says: The one that was the cause of the necessary forced and urgent battle. And that because of the clamoring, cry or bleating that Hercules gave, the position or terrain, from where he as General watched the battle on the plain, was called Balaguarium, and the town itself, which today is called the city of Balaguer. Many laugh at this, but it is not as unreasonable as they conceptualize it; assuming that the battle took place on flat ground, and that balare is the same as balido [bleating] in Castilian Spanish; for, even if the bleating is typical of sheep and other similar small cattle, even today in Catalonia when someone shouts a lot we usually say, calla baladrer, which is the same as saying not to shout so much. And especially it is used to say it to children that when they are little they cry a lot, and very loud and high, of whom we usually say in Catalan that they have grand bel, and in Castilian great bleating. And if there are those who say that the language of then, and that of now, is not all one, but very diverse, and that for this reason it could not sound, or mean the same as it does now, I will satisfy you with what I will say below, responding to what is similarly said against the foundation of Barcelona.

7. Let us now continue the path of Hercules through our Catalonia. The Bishop of Gerona says that Hercules had in his company some Greeks from Achaia, and from Illyria, that today is called Slavónia, and that having seen that these or some of them got tired of following him, especially when he saw that the other Illyrians, who had gone through the mountain to the sea, were already established, and that those who followed him were pleased with the land, which was the bank of the river Sicoris, today Segre, quite similar to the homeland of those Illyrians, and for this reason they became fond of it: Hercules determined to condescend to what they wanted, letting them be there. Who, to live in sisterly company and society, built a town that from their own name they named Ilerda, and in the same way we name it in Latin; but in vulgar Catalan Lleyda, and in Castilian Lérida. Although, as I said above in chapter 14, other writers wanted to make this city older.

8. The other historians referred to here do not mention this, but rather that (as the Bishop himself also writes), Hercules drawing close to the lower lands, founded the city of Ausa or Ausona, which was thus named because it was settled by people with whom he came from Italy, extracted from the Ausona land; and for this reason those people were named Ausonia, or Ausones. According to what I have written above, I consider this city to be older, so I am persuaded that either in that place above (which is chapter 14) or in this there is a mistake, perhaps taking one city for another: which is very easy because Diego de Valera says that Hercules in this second coming founded Usunà, which is near Toledo, and that he populated it with Ausonia people. Whence it is inferred that by the similarity of the word, perhaps an error was received; and that instead of understanding that foundation of Usuna, they understood it from Vich de Osona: or up there they had to understand from Usuna, and here from Vich. And why today is named Vique I will say it in its place.

[As stated previously, the Ausonians were Aramaeans who fled the site of Damascus in the time of Myrina's invasions and were settled in the boot of Italy by king Aurunus in 2126 BC. Nearly 200 years after this, Hercules' return from Italy would probably mark the entry of some of them into Hispania where they founded one or both of these settlements.]

9. Tomic, Beuter, Juan Socorrats, the Bishop of Gerona and Guillermo de Vallseca also say that this same Hercules founded Tarragona. But it seems to me that in this also the similarity of the name made them err. Because Hercules founded the city of Tarazona, according to Beuter, Florian and Tomic. And that is how Micer Luis Pons de Icart also notes it: giving another founder, and times before to Tarragona, as I have already written above, since the one who founded it was Tubal Tarraco, or his son Tarraho. Whence we have to infer that if Hercules did something in it, it was to increase it with buildings.

10. Hercules going down, making his way through Catalonia, he founded a town that he named Minorisa, and it is said he named it in this way, because it was the smallest of the towns he had built in Spain. This town is now a well-known city called Manresa, located on the banks of the Cardener river, half a league above where this river meets Llobregat. Rajadell also mixes with Cardener, and the three fertilize that region. Pedro Tomic mentions this foundation, and I will say something to the purpose in the third book seventh chapter.

11. Among others whom Hercules brought in his company were the Lacios of Italy, to whom from Manresa and Vich, or from their regions, he sent to settle part of that land: designating them from Llobregat to Ter, or at least to the river of Tordera, and from the town of Blanes, to the Ausetanos and Gerundenses. Because of whose settlers this whole part of land, just as they were Lacios, came to be called Lacitania, or as some want Laletania, Laetania, or Latitania, and the word Lacetania a little less corrupted, as Francisco Compte says. And because Ptolemy makes mention of a city in Italy, which is named Blanda, and we find on the shore of the sea of ​​our Catalonia in Lacetania, the settlement that today is called Blánes, which by Pliny and Pomponius Mela is named Blanda, from this it takes its foundation and infers that settlement was the work of those Lacios, in memory of the Blanda of Italy. And Fr Diego believes that Alella, a town that today is in Laletania itself, two leagues from Barcelona, ​​was the Capital of these Laletanos' towns.

12. Many of the aforementioned and other historians make mention that Hercules, in the time he lived, had love affairs with a Spanish woman named Pirene. And leaving aside the fable of Ovid, and another of someone who falsely invents having followed Rabbi Capdevila, what I understand is closer to the historical truth, is: that Hercules had love affairs with Pirene, and that she died while Hercules was still alive: who for honoring her made her a great tomb, altar and temple, and the superstitious people, as it was so vain and easy, for fear of Hercules or for flattering him, began to venerate and honor that tomb. And as Vénus among other meanings means and signifies kindness, and also any libidinal act, from here originated the calling of that temple or sepulcher Temple of Vénus Pirene, as it were, of the gentle and libidinous Pirene. Of whose temple named after Vénus Pirene, Estrabon, Plinio, Antonio Nebrisense, and the Bishop of Gerona make mention, who says that even in his time it lasted, and he wrote in the time of the Catholic King D Fernando the second. From what I am persuaded that it would mean that some vestiges lasted, as Francisco Compte says, who wrote in the year 1586 of Christ; for he says that in that year there were still vestiges of that building, and of some ancient graves. There is some error about the place where that temple was, because the Master Florian de Ocampo, perhaps deceived by some relationship or by the assonance of the name, understood it was in Port Vendres. But Francisco Compte found out very well, and he says it was near Salsas, in a territory named by Fitor, which today belongs to the kingdom of France, at the foot of the Pyrenees that comes down from the Aras mountains: and that the temple is the border between Roussillon and France. And some say about this Pirene that the Pyrenees took their name: but I will satisfy them in chapter 5 of book 2. Finally it is also said that Hercules came down to these parts of Lacetania, and that on the shore of the sea he founded the city of Barcelona, for the cause, reason, and occasion that I will say below. But because this requires further discussion, and there is much to say, it must be done now with this brevity, so as not to confuse the understanding of the readers, and so in the next chapter I will write it longer.

13. In that season, Hercules had already taken over the reign of Spain, although he was already old: and he retained the time of nineteen years, as can be seen in Fr Juan Pineda, Florian, Beuter, Annius, Tarafa, Medina, Viladamor, Goes, Garcia and Casaneo. At the end of which time, he, already old and full of work, died in Spain, according to Annius and Berosus. Others particularize that he died on the island of Cádiz. Tomic says in Barcelona, and there is no lack of someone who follows him according to Florian's opinion: so it is necessary for me to be particularizing and specifying this a little more at least. However, I suppose that although it is a matter of my country, I will not become fond of, nor will I solve anything, but I will touch everything I have seen.

[Swinton, Stevens and Anderson agree that Hercules or Orus Lybicus returned to succeed his grandson Hispanus and rule Hispania for 19 years, although Beawes has 29.

In *Defloratio*, the 35 years assigned to 'Belochus' over the 'Assyrians' seem to correspond to the reigns of the Akkadian kings Naram-Suen and Sharkalisharri, 2040-2005 BC. This is followed by 52 years ascribed to 'Baleus' in 'Babylon', presumably Ur-Nammu, who may have ruled Ur independently from 2005 BC as the Akkadian Empire crumbled, although he was not recognized as Lord of Nippur and all Sumer until 1976 BC, continuing as such until 1958 BC. His rule over Ur thus seems to have lasted no more than 47 years, and the figure of 52 years for him in *Defloratio* must have been inflated by 5 years.

It was as it says in the reign of this Baleus (1995 BC) that Hercules ie Nebtawyre avenged his father Apis in Egypt, then began to liberate the hostile provinces around the Mediterranean, including the Lomnini in Iberia. *Defloratio* continues the account thus:

* "*And while he was passing through Celtica on his way to Italy, he begot by Galathea, with the permission of her parents, king Galathes.*

* *In Italy he made war for ten years* [1994-1984 BC] *and drove out the Lestrigones* [1984 BC]*, afterwards reigning peacefully amongst them for 20 years* [1984-1965 BC]*. He also founded many towns for them bearing his name and his cognomen Musarna, such as Gedrosia and Carnania, and he made places impassible on account of flooding suitable for human habitation.*

* *So in the 41st year of Baleus* [1965 BC] *he stirred up war in Italy against the giants, and destroyed them in the second year before his (Baleus') death* [1959 BC]*.*

* *Thus Hercules came to Italy from the Hispali, took on the Lestrigones and all the tyrants, founded the Arni, Lybarni and Musarni named after himself, reigned for thirty years* [1959-1929 BC] *and left Thuscus as their duly appointed king.*"

Thus it appears Hercules defeated the Lestrigones and ruled Italy until 1965 BC, when the 'giants', the same 'aborigines' or 'Curetes' south of the Tiber, again rose up and were destroyed around 1959 BC. The final mention of thirty years must refer to a continuation of Hercules' reign in Italy, as becomes apparent in the following entries from the next era after Baleus, that of Altades (Shulgi).

* "*Altades was the twelfth king of the Babylonians, ruling for 32 years...*

* *In the time of this Altades, Hercules summoned the son Thuscus, whom he had begotten from Araxa, from the region of the Tanais...*

* *Hercules made his son Thuscus, as was customary, Coritus over the Janigenes. He left him king over them, and in extreme old age returned to the Celtiberi [sic], in the **thirty-ninth** year of Altades, and reigned and died there. The Celtiberi awarded him a temple in Gades and a sepulcher and divine honors, and dedicated many cities in his name as recognition of his achievements, as for example Libysosona, Libysoca, Libunca, and Libora.*"

Mention of Altades' 39th year here is puzzling, for the same text assigned him only 32 years total. However, it is archaeologically certain that Shulgi ruled no fewer than 48 years with different Sumerian year-names, which I date from 1958 to 1910 BC. The figure of 32 years must thus be discarded as an error that should read 48. It may be tempting to conclude that the notation of Hercules coming to 'Celtiberi' (as it calls Hispania) in Altades' 39th year is thus correct, as well as further evidence that the text errs in assigning Altades only 32 years. However, amending Hercules' return in Spain to the 29th year of Altades instead of 39th, fits perfectly with the above calculation showing Hercules left Italy to Tuscus in 1929 BC. This being the closest thing to a confirmation, I thus date the beginning of Hercules' reign in Spain to 1929 BC.

Fixing the end of Hercules' regime in Spain with his death and the beginning of Hesperus' reign, is also difficult. *Defloratio* indicates Hesperus came to rule in the 20th year of Mamitus, who follows Altades. This would mean Hercules died in 1890 BC, after a reign in Spain of around 39 years.

Aside from this, the German chronicler Aventinus says Hercules died in Spain during the reign of King Schwab or Suevus over Greater Swabia or Germany, he says 17 years before the death of Joseph in Egypt in the 32nd year of Schwab. Ignoring the year assigned to Joseph as based on a faulty synchronization, this would mean Hercules died in the 15th year of Suevus. I have dated Suevus in Germany from 1967-1915 BC, 52 years as in Aventinus' Latin edition. However Suevus' 15th year or 1952 BC would not synchronize well for Hercules' death. If by some confusion he meant to say Hercules died 17 years *after* Joseph, it would mean Hercules died in the 48th year of Suevus, or 1919 BC, which is within the expected range.

Furthermore, returning to *Defloratio*, the notice of Hercules' reign and death in Spain both coming next to a date of Altades' "39th" year raises another possibility to account for this figure. As we have seen, if this is amended to 29th year of Altades, it fits better with the previous data for the start of his rule in Spain. However, in the original form, it may have said he reigned there from Altades' 29th, and died in Altades' 39th year, bringing us again to 1919 BC by another method. At some point as I suspect, the mention of Altades' 29th dropped out with a single mention of 39th serving for both events.

We may thus conclude that Hercules in his old age ruled Spain only about nine or ten years, ca. 1929-1919 BC and passed away late in the reign of Suevus of Germany as said by Aventinus; we may also conclude that the entry for Hesperus' succession is misplaced by *Defloratio* in the 20th year of Mamitus. It is also unclear how the popular figure of 19 years of Hercules in Spain is derived from that, for it would mean Hercules started ruling Spain in Mamitus' reign as well, which does not seem possible from *Defloratio*.]

* Next page: Chapter 23