What was Portugal referred to in ancient times?

In ancient times, Portugal was referred to as Lusitania. This name was used during the Roman Empire to designate the region that encompasses much of modern-day Portugal and parts of western Spain. The term itself likely derives from the indigenous Lusitani people who inhabited that area prior to Roman colonization.

Lusitania became a significant administrative and military province of the Roman Empire, and its legacy continues to influence the cultural and historical identity of Portugal today. The use of this term underscores the rich historical connections that Portugal has to its ancient roots, which are often celebrated in literature, art, and national identity.

Other terms, such as Portucale, refer to a specific locality that eventually evolved into the modern name for Portugal, while Hesperia is a term that was more often associated with regions of the Iberian Peninsula and Italy in ancient Greek texts. Gallatia refers to a different region historically linked to Gallic tribes in what is now western and central Europe, and it's not directly associated with Portugal. Thus, Lusitania remains the most recognized ancient reference specifically tied to the area that is now known as Portugal.