Messene, Achaea – Part II

Continued From Messene, Achaea – Part II Taking one of the staircases from the Theater Quarter leads up into an area above the summa cavea/epitheatron of the theater. Conversely, one can walk back out to the main area and around this retaining wall to access the theater area as well. The theater seems to have…

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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 III

Continued From Aquincum, Pannonia Inferior – Part II To the east of Aquincum’s macellum are two large private residences that face onto Street E. The first of the two narrow, but lengthy, houses is the so-called House of the Butcher. Initially constructed in the 2nd century CE, the building underwent a number of renovations and…

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Bagacum, Gallia Belgica

Most Recent Visit: July 2022 Prior to the arrival of Roman hegemony, the settlement of Bagacum (modern Bavay) was located in the territory of the Nervii. The Nervii are not mentioned prior to Julius Caesar’s writings, but he describes them as one of the most formidable of the Belgic peoples. Caesar relates a battle in…

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Dium, Macedonia – Part III

Continued From Dium Part II From the Sanctuary of Zeus Hypsistos, the Sanctuary of Isis is tantalizingly close to the east, and despite a sign indicating access to the temple through this area, there is none. From here, the Sanctuary of Isis is across the modern course of the river. A bridge apparently used to…

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Alesia, Gallia Lugdunensis – Part II

Continued From Alesia, Gallia Lugdunensis Part I Adjacent to the northern portico of the forum is one of the most interesting elements of Alesia, the so-called Monument of Ucuetis. This structure was built into the hillside, and so much of it is at a lower area than the forum. It seems to have been a…

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Alesia, Gallia Lugdunensis – Part I

Most Recent Visit: May 2022 In antiquity, the chief settlement of the Mandubii was located on the plateau of the Mons Alisiensis, the modern Mont Auxois. It is likely the town which Caesar refers to as the Oppidum Mandubiorum. Today, the remains of the settlement are located just outside the French town of Alise-Sainte-Reine, which…

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Augusta Rauricorum, Germania Superior – Part II

Continued From Augusta Rauricorum Part I Directly south out of the museum are two of the most recognizable monuments of Augusta Rauricorum; the theater and temple. The temple is located to the west of the path, while the theater to the east. Before reaching the actual temple, a large retaining wall for the rise on…

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Curium, Cyprus – Part II

Continued From Curium, Cyprus Part I A short walk from the area of Curium’s the theater, to the southwest across the main road, are the remains of a residential structure, the so-called Earthquake House. Originally built in the 1st or 2nd century CE, the house was then remodeled in the middle of the 4th century…

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Augusta Bilbilis, Hispania Tarraconensis – Part II

Continued From Augusta Bilbilis Part I The forum of Augusta Bilbilis was inaugurated in 27 CE. It underwent renovations in the Flavian and Antonine periods. Like the theater, the forum too seems to have seen a decline in use during the 3rd century CE. The open plaza of the forum is supported on an artificial…

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