Aventicum, Gallia Belgica – Part II

Continued From Aventicum, Gallia Belgica – Part I In the 11th century, a fortified tower was constructed over the monumental eastern entry to the amphitheater. It was embellished in later periods, but now houses the archaeological finds from Aventicum in the Musée Romain. Accessible from the upper level of the amphitheater. In the summer (April…

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Aventicum, Gallia Belgica – Part I

Most Recent Visit: June 2022 The Roman settlement of Aventicum, located on the shores of the modern Murtensee, not far from the Eburodunensis Lacus (modern Lake Neuchâtel), has an uncertain foundation date. Today located among modern Avenches, Switzerland, in antiquity Aventicum was located in the territory of the Helvetii, specifically that of the Tigurini branch….

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Augustodunum, Gallia Lugdunensis – Part I

Most Recent Visit: May 2022 Today located at the site of the modern city of Autun in eastern France, the Roman city of Augustodunum was founded sometime in the late 1st century BCE, during the reign of Augustus. Named after the emperor (with the added Celtic suffix denoting a hillfort, dunum), the city was a…

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Messene, Achaea – Part VIII

Continued From Messene, Achaea – Part VII Continuing along the road another kilometer and few minutes of driving (not through the gate) is another well-preserved section of the fortifications. There is no gate here, but rather the wall was destroyed to allow the passage of the road. On both sides of the road, significant portions…

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Messene, Achaea – Part VII

Continued From Messene, Achaea – Part VI To the east of the gymnasium/palaestra area is the stadium, which is effectively considered part of the gymnasium complex. It is bordered on the northern, western, and eastern sides by doric stoas that have been reconstructed using the materials found in situ. The seating at the north end…

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Diocletianopolis, Thracia – Part II

Continued From Diocletianopolis, Thracia – Part I Continuing on at the Camel Gate, inside the Camel Gate, located just to the west, are the remains of barracks abutting the fortification wall. These barracks were constructed in the late 4th or early 5th century CE. Originally the barracks built at this time along nearly the entirety…

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Diocletianopolis, Thracia – Part I

Most Recent Visit: July 2019 Among the modern town of Hisarya, Bulgaria are the remains of what was once the Roman settlement of Diocletianopolis. Habitation at the site of Diocletianopolis seems to date back at least 6,000 years. The prevalent mineral hot springs there likely attracted attention to this particular location. By the 5th century…

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Asturica Augusta, Hispania Tarraconensis – Part I

Most Recent Visit: July 2022 Located today among the modern city of Astorga, in the province of León in northeastern Spain, was once the Roman settlement of Asturica Augusta. The area of the settlement was inhabited by the Amaci, a Celtic population that was incorporated into the tribal confederation of the Astures at some point…

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Aquincum, Pannonia Inferior – Part V

Continued From Aquincum, Pannonia Inferior – Part IV From the Cella Trichora, it’s about a 20 minute, 1.2 kilometer walk to the next stop, tucked inconspicuously into a residential area behind (west) of the building at Harrer Pál u. 12. Located here, mounted on a pillar is a partial relief of a goddess crowned in…

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Numantia, Hispania Tarraconensis – Part II

Continued From Numantia, Hispania Tarraconensis – Part I While I may have found the actual archaeological site of Numantia a little disappointing, one thing that was not disappointing about my Numantia experience was, located about 7 kilometers to the northeast, about a kilometer northeast of the town of Reniblas. Located there are the vestiges of…

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