Aquileia

Aquileia was one of the major cities of northern Italy and a node between the Adriatic, the Alps and the Danubian provinces. For Roman archaeology it matters as a harbour, trade, craft, military and early Christian centre with rich epigraphy, mosaics, cemeteries and urban infrastructure.

Archaeological complex

The colony was founded in 181 BC and became a base for controlling the north-eastern approaches to Italy. The forum, river port, roads, storage and craft areas, housing, cemeteries and late antique Christian complex are archaeologically important. Aquileia shows a city not on the edge, but at a crossroads of imperial connections.

Aquileia survives not as a single open city but as a series of zones: forum, river harbour, roads, cemeteries, domestic sectors and Late Antique Christian complexes. Views of the excavations are important for linking urban space with the harbour and road network of the northern Adriatic.

Finds and material setting

Finds include inscriptions, sarcophagi, glass, amber, coins, mosaics, amphorae, architectural decoration and cemetery material. For reconstructing provincial culture, the city is valuable because it connects Italian tradition, military logistics, northern trade and craft production.

• forum, river harbour, roads and defensive setting;
• mosaics, inscriptions, cemeteries and craft finds;
• trade pottery, amphorae and material for northern Adriatic connections;
• Late Antique basilica complexes.

Interpretation and limits

Aquileia has a long history from Republican colony to late antique centre. The dating of each object is therefore crucial: Republican, early imperial and late Aquileia produce different historical pictures and should not be merged into one generic reconstruction.

Related topics

• Archaeology and museums
• Roman Empire
• Amphorae
• Roman streets
• Roman temples
• Roman Army
• National Archaeological Museum of Aquileia

Literature and sources

• M. Verzár-Bass (ed.). Aquileia romana: vita pubblica e privata. Rome, 1991.
• UNESCO World Heritage: Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia.
• Fondazione Aquileia: archaeological area and museum notes.