Juliobriga, Hispania Tarraconensis – Part I

Most Recent Visit: July 2022 In 29 BCE, Augustus began a campaign in the northwestern part of Hispania to attempt to pacify the last remaining populations not more or less submitting to Roman hegemony on the peninsula; the Cantabri and the Astures. The bloody ten year long conflict saw the Romans not taking prisoners and…

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Beneventum, Samnium – Part III

Continued From Beneventum, Samnium – Part II Just to the west of the cathedral, a little ways down Via Carlo Torre, is the Area Archeologica Arco del Sacramento. The archaeological remains in this park are those of a bathing complex, located in the vicinity of the forum of ancient Beneventum. Though impressive looking, the archaeological…

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Apollonia, Macedonia – Part IV

Continued From Apollonia, Macedonia – Part III On the south side of the sacred way, above the north end of the stoa, was another set of retaining walls. On top of the plateau formed by these was a temple. The temple dates back to at least the 2nd century BCE and was then restored and…

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Colonia Clunia Sulpicia, Hispania Tarraconensis

Most Recent Visit: July 2022 The exact date of foundation for Colonia Clunia Sulpicia (modern Peñalba de Castro) is unclear, but presumably it was sometime between the subjugation of the local Arevaci around 93 BCE and the first appearance of the settlement in the historical record in 75 BCE. The Roman settlement was not built…

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Beroea, Macedonia

Most Recent Visit: May 2024 The ancient city of Beroea (also Berea or Beroia) was located in Macedonia at the foot of the mountain of Bermion (modern Vermio Mountains) on the banks of the longest river in Greece, the Haliakmon. Today the modern town of Veria occupies the site of its ancient predecessor. According to…

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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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Luna, Etruria – Part II

Continued From Luna, Etruria – Part I Also at the southeast corner of the forum, beyond the augusteum, is a large private house known as the Domus degli Affreschi, the House of the Frescoes. The house was originally constructed in the middle of the 1st century BCE before undergoing renovations about 40 CE. It underwent…

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Messene, Achaea – Part IV

Continued From Messene, Achaea – Part III Immediately adjacent to the Sanctuary of Demeter and the Dioscouri to the southeast, the Asklepieion. The Asklepieion was located on the south side of the agora; some bits of the southern portico of the agora are visible on the north side of the path that skirts the north…

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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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Venusia, Samnium

Most Recent Visit: July 2023 Little is known of Venusia (today modern Venosa in Italy’s Basilicata region) prior to conquest by the Romans, though according to legend it was founded by Diomedes after his arrival in Italy. He dedicated the city to Aphrodite in hopes of making amends with the goddess after he wounded her…

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