References in Classic Authors and Archaeology
It is mentioned by Pomponius Mela (DC III 1, 7), Pliny (HN IV 35, 116), Ptolemy (GH: II 5, 2), and Marcianus of Heracleia (PME: II, 13).
Mints bronze asses and its lead divisors (semis, quadrans, triens, sextans) about mid 1st century BCE, in Latin alphabet with marine motives (tunas, dolphins, several kinds of boats). The name BALSA, recorded in these coins is the oldest attestation of the toponym.
According to Mela (DC III 1, 7) Balsa was situated in the Cuneus Ager, a Roman geographical region corresponding to modern Central and Eastern Algarve.
It was one of the stipendiary oppida of Lusitania, siege of the balsenses (Pliny: IV 35, 118), people belonging to the ethnical group of the Turdetani (Ptolemy: II 5, 2).
Stage of via XXI of Antonine Itineraries, between Esuri and Ossonoba (IAA: 426,1) . Referred as civitas in the Ravennate between Besurin and Stacio Sacra (RAC: IV 43, 30).
It was considered by Marcianus of Heracleia the polis at the southmost limit of Lusitania (M. H.: II, 14).
Place Identification is attested by epigraphy found in the local, where Balsensium appears three times, qualifying persons CIL II, 5161 CIL II, 5164 and the political community IRCP 75.
Read more about this topic: Balsa (Roman Town)
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