The Neolithic era witnessed Iberian-related people inhabiting the region. The remains of the religious monuments built by them called the megaliths are still visible in the outskirts of the present Lisbon. Then after 1000BC, it was invaded by Indo-European Celts and together with the Pre-Indo-European crowd gave rise to local tribes like Cempsi. Around 1200BC, the Phoenicians, having been enchanted by the natural harbor offered by River Tagus’s estuary, started settling in the region for trading purposes. Legend has it that, it was then that the name Allis Ubbo, meaning “safe harbor” was coined to the city. However, some say that Lisbon got its real name from Lucio or Lisso, which was the pre-Roman name of Tagus. The 8th century Phoenician remains were recently found under the famous Lisbon Cathedral. The name has been modified to many forms like Ulyssipo, Olisippo, Olissipona, etc. Even Ulysses, the mythological character who probably found the city after leaving Troy, is said to be the origin of its name.
Then arrived the Romans and began the times of Julius Caesar, Brutus, Augustus and other Roman legends. Olissipo was soon included inside the Roman Empire and given the name, Felicitas Julia. Some of the ruins of the Cassian Baths, the temples, the theatres and the buildings built during this time were later unearthed in the middle 1700s. During the rule of the Romans, Olissipo faced a lot of Christian attacks and ultimately turned out be among the first few cities to be taken over by Christianity. The Germans were the next to occupy the place naming it ‘Ulishbona’ to be followed by the Moors who were Arabic speaking North American and Middle Eastern Muslims. They established a lot of mosques and houses, including the present Cerca Moura Wall. Even today, the old Lisbon reflects Moorish influence. However, soon in the year 1147, Lisbon was resumed to Christian control. The mosques were transformed into churches and the Muslim into Roman Christians. Lisbon got its first official approval as a city in the year 1179 and in 1255, it became the Portuguese capital. Ever since then, Lisbon has expanded in size, economy and grandeur. The Portuguese soon left the city including Vasco da Gama himself. By the sixteenth century, it became a commercial hub for Europe and gave rise to the famous Portuguese late Gothic architectural ornamentation style called Manueline. Although in 1580, Spain had conquered Portugal, the 1640 revolt at Lisbon restored their lost independence. The atrocious Lisbon earthquake of 1755 almost destroyed the entire city. Apart from life and property, many important structures and historical assets were lost. However, Lisbon city was reconstructed with a new zeal and plan. In the nineteenth century, the Napoleonic tribe invaded it, ripping the city off a lot of its valuables. In 1910, Portuguese Republic was established by a sudden decisive republican force controlled at Lisbon, thus entering the modern era. In 1994, the city of Lisbon got the title of European Capital of Culture. And today it is known for hosting shows like MTV European Music Awards and Rock in Rio.
