Roman Theaters and amphitheatres in Switzerland

Ancient theatres A theatre tradition was absent in the western provinces of the Roman Empire until August (emperor from 27 BC—14 AD). Stone theatres existed only in Greek settlements in Spain (Hispania) and southern France (Gallia Narbonensis). Stone theatres were not built in Rome and the conquered western territories until the last phase of the … Read more » “Roman Theaters and amphitheatres in Switzerland”

Basilia, the Roman vicus without a name

After Julius Caesar’s (100 -44 BC) victory over the Celtic leader Vercingetorix at Alesia in 52 B.C., Rome ruled Gaul, which is more or less present-day France. The Roman Republic also directly influenced the western and northwestern parts of Switzerland. The Celtic tribes in this region were allies (foederati) after the battle of Bibracte in … Read more » “Basilia, the Roman vicus without a name”

The amphitheatre of Vindonissa

The XIII Legion built the wooden amphitheatre of Vindonissa (Windisch, Canton Aargau) during the reign of Emperor Tiberius (14-37 AD). After a fire, the XXI legion replaced it with stone construction. The ranks (cavea) are divided into three horizontal sections and can accommodate about 11,000 spectators. The spectators were strictly separated according to the hierarchical … Read more » “The amphitheatre of Vindonissa”

The Celts and Romans in Bern

The area of the city of Bern was already inhabited in the Iron Age (after 800 BC) and during the Roman occupation (15 BC – 400 AD).  The small informative exhibition shows the remains of this history on the Enge peninsula (Engehalbinel). Since the Iron Age, several Celtic tribes have lived in the Swiss Mittelland. … Read more » “The Celts and Romans in Bern”

Romanization in Italian-speaking Switzerland

The tribes of the Po Valley in Northern Italy had different attitudes towards Rome’s military and political ambitions in the last century before Christ. Some were hostile to Rome (the Insubrians), some concluded an alliance (Venetians and Cenomanes), and others remained hesitant (Ligurians). After their conquest in the last decades before Christ, the Romans founded … Read more » “Romanization in Italian-speaking Switzerland”

From Capital Aventicum to the Provincial Town Avenches

The Helvetians The story of the migration of some Celtic tribes (Helvetii, Rauraci) from 58 BC to eastern France is known from Julius Caesar’s Book de Bello Gallico (100-44 BC). Far less well-known outside present-day Switzerland is the history of their defeat in that year near Bibracte and their return to their homelands in Switzerland. … Read more » “From Capital Aventicum to the Provincial Town Avenches”

New Centre of the Augusta Raurica museum

The new scientific and administrative centre of the Augusta Raurica open-air museum (Sammlungszentrum) in the canton of Basel-Landschaft was recently inaugurated. The centre is near the Ostport, the Roman viaduct on the east side of this Roman city, and the archaeological zoo. The centre concentrates all the museum’s activities in one building. Previously, the departments … Read more » “New Centre of the Augusta Raurica museum”

The Roman Road Neckar-Alb-Aare

Available in German (Die Römerstrasse Neckar-Alb-Aare) and Dutch.

Swiss Amber

The Greeks, Romans, Celtic and other European peoples highly valued amber, a precious stone. Archaeological amber finds are made throughout Europe. The finds date from the older Stone Age ( c .10000-4000 BC), the later Stone Age (c. 4000-1800 BC), the Bronze Age (c. 1800-500 BC) and Greek and Roman times. The Roman (provincial) elite … Read more » “Swiss Amber”

The Romanisation of Vaud

During two centuries of Roman peace —the “pax romana”—  and domination, the area of the canton of Vaud was romanised. The Celtic population adopted the Roman way of life, the Latin language and customs. One of the most important contributions was urbanisation. The Celtic settlements, the oppida (oppidum in the singular) developed into cities or … Read more » “The Romanisation of Vaud”