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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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 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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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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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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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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Aquincum, Pannonia Inferior – Part I

Most Recent Visit: June 2023 The area of the Roman settlement of Aquincum was inhabited prior to Roman conquest by Eravisci (also referred to as the Aravisci), a Celtic people. The Celtic cultural influence is evident in archaeological remains, though Tacitus claims that they are related to the Osii, a group he labels as Germanic…

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Augusta Rauricorum, Germania Superior – Part I

Most Recent Visit: June 2022 The ancient settlement of Colonia Augusta Ruaricorum was located on the southern banks of the Rhenus (modern Rhine River) at the site of modern-day Augst, Switzerland. The modern name of the city is derived from the ancient name, which was initially shortened to Augusta and then to Augst. Pliny the…

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Carnuntum, Pannonia Superior – Part III

Continued From Carnuntum, Pannonia Superior – Part II Continuing through Römerstadt Carnuntum, to the west of the Villa Urbana are the public baths. Between the two there is the so-called valetudinarium area that has not been reconstructed except for the entrance off the portico, but rather have been left as conserved after excavation. A wooden…

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Carnuntum, Pannonia Superior – Part I

Most Recent Visit: August 2021 Situated on the south bank of the Danubius (modern Danube River), the area of Carnuntum was originally inhabited by the Illyrian-Celtic Boii, who had an oppidum on the hill where the Hainburg Castle now resides, a few kilometers away from the military camp of Carnuntum. The name probably derives from…

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