The modern name "Gibrlatar" is derived from the Arabic meaning “Rock of Tariq” while the ancient name, The Pillars of Hercules referring to The Rock of Gibraltar, has its roots in ancient Greek Mythology.
The Pillars of Hercules
Hercules, in his tenth labor, was charged with the duty to fetch the cattle of Geryon. While engaging his quest, Hercules reached the edge of the Mediterranean, bordering with the Atlantic Ocean. The passage to the Atlantic was blocked by a mountain range which Hercules proceeded to demolish, thus creating the strait of Gibraltar which separates the Iberian Peninsula and Europe from Morocco Africa.
Being so far away from his beloved Greece and in order to be able to find his way back, Hercules erected pillars on both sides of the strait, one in Europe and one in Africa, to mark the vast distance (for ancient times) he had travelled. These pillars which today still stand are respectively called the Rock of Gibraltar or Mount Calpe on the European continent side, and Jebel Musa or Mount Abyla on the African continent side.
The legend of Hercules was deeply immersed in medieval naval tradition (Oceanography Before Scripps, Eric Mills, Dalhousie University, 2003). This is reinforced by recent archeological evidence. Archeologists in 2000 discovered embedded within the rock of Gibraltar a Phoenician shrine to Hercules dating to the eighth century BC .
The shrine's orientation was such that it could easily be located by voyagers leaving the Mediterranean and heading on trading voyages into the Atlantic Ocean. The shrine contained a number of tokens possibly left by medieval voyagers as homage to Hercules to help them return home safely from their journeys into the largely unchartered territory of the Atlantic.
British Spanish Rivalry for Gibraltar
Gibraltar has been the site of contention, considering the fact that it is of strategic importance since it is in reality, and gateway to and from the Mediterranean Sea. Gibraltar was captured by the British during the war of the Spanish succession and was ceded to the British through the treaty of Utrecht.
Gibraltar was then developed into a strategic port for the British Navy and played important roles in various battles including Trafalgar, the battle for the Mediterranean during the Second World War, and the Suez crisis.
Gibraltar Today
Gibraltar is still a cause for contention between Britain and Spain as it is considered a British overseas territory with Gibraltarians having been awarded (by Britain) full British citizenship.
Gibraltar is also part of the European Union with the full rights and privileges of EU member states which include the Gibraltarian right to participate in the European Parliament elections.
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