Abstract

The aim of this article is to highlight the fact that Rome was the responsible for naming with the word Hispania the geographical area that has the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean, Atlantic and Cantabrian coasts as its established borders. It was equally responsible for giving the word an identity of its own. This is the same term that evolved over time in so many historical, administrative, political and cultural contexts and ended up denominating present-day Spain. Its local inhabitants assimilated the term as early as Republican times, regardless of whether they were born in Corduba, Emerita Augusta, Lucus Augusti, Tarraco or any other small town in their respective provinces. This assimilation was not identical at all social levels, and evolved over time. Finally, the use of the formula natione Hispanus/a in roman epigraphy is examined in detail.