ILLITURGIS
ILLITURGIS,
ILITURGIS, or ILITURGI (probably the
Ἰλουργίς of
Ptol. 2.4.9, as well as the
Ἰλουργεία of Polybius, ap.
Steph. B. sub voce and the
Ἰλυργία of Appian,
App. Hisp. 32: Eth.
Illurgitani), a considerable city of Hispania Baetica, situated on a steep rock on the N. side of the Baetis, on the road from Corduba to Castulo, 20 M. P. from the latter, land five days' march from Carthago Nova.
In the Second Punic War it went over to the Romans, like its neighbors, Castulo and Mentesa, and endured two sieges by the Carthaginians, both of which were raised; but, upon the overthrow of the two Scipios, the people of Illiturgis and Castulo revolted to the Carthaginians, the former adding to their treason the crime of betraying and putting to death the Romans who had fled to them for refuge.
At least such is the Roman version of their offence, for which a truly Roman vengeance was taken by Publius Scipio, B.C. 206.
After a defence, such as might be expected when despair of mercy was added to national fortitude, the city was stormed and burnt over the slaughtered corpses of all its inhabitants,. children and women as well as men. (
Liv. 23.49,
24.41,
26.17,
41,
28.19,
20.) Ten years later it had recovered sufficiently to be again besieged by the Romans, and taken with the slaughter of all its adult male population. (
Liv. 34.10.) Under the Roman empire it was a considerable city, with the surname of
FORUM JULIUM Its site is believed to have been in the neighbourhood of
Andujar, where the church of S. Potenciana now stands. (
Itin. Ant. p. 403;
Plin. iii 1. s. 3; Priscian. vi. p. 682, ed. Putsch; Morales,
Antig. p. 56b.; Mentelle
Esp. Mod. p. 183; Laborde,
Itin. vol. ii. p. 113; Florez,
Esp. S. vol. xii. p. 369; Coins, ap. Florez,
Med. vol iii. p. 81 ; Mionnet, vol. i. p. 16 ; Sestini, p. 56; Eckhel, vol. i. p. 23 ; Ukert, vol. ii. pt. 1. p. 380.)
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