The Roman Frontier: Exactly what do Know Of Roman Ruins In Germany

Many people might think that Germany never was part of the Roman Empire, but that's only half true. Areas of the south and west of what is today Germany were greatly part of the Roman Empire. Much of what was beyond direct Roman control was still influenced by and traded with the Roman Empire.

Some of the farthest Roman Frontiers were in Germany. Travel to Scotland and something can easily see some far-flung Roman Ruins in the room – like the Antonine Wall. In Armenia, one can even still a stunning Roman temple still standing.

What To Know About Romans In Germany

The Romans stylized the numerous peoples across the Rhine as "Germania" and in the late 1st century BC they tried to conquer much of what is today Germany. These campaigns happened under the Roman emperor Augustus and also got so far as the Elbe River that runs on the center of Germany today. The Romans succeeded in creating a short-lived Roman province called Germania Antiqua in 7 BC.

But they were soon disastrously defeated in the Battle of Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD which obliterated their entire army there. After that, the Romans were dissuaded from trying to conquer Germania and also the Rhine became the Roman border.

In the years after that most of what's today, Germania remained agrarian and traded extensively using the Roman Empire. There were also many Roman campaigns in the region. But the parts that are west from the River Rhine and South from the Danube River were integrated into the Empire.

While the Roman Empire, ultimately, didn't overlap with very much of what is Germany today, there are still many Roman archeological sites to visit there today. Some of these are quite spectacular – most are forts, frontier forts, settlements, and more across the Rhine and Danube Rivers – known as the Limes Germanicus (the frontier from the Roman Empire).

Limes Germanicus: The Frontier from the Roman Empire In Germany

The Roman Town of Trier

Trier is a German city right on the border with Luxemburg. It is one of the oldest cities in Germany and was a Roman colony from the 1st century AD following the Romans first subdued it within the 1st century BC. It was founded as Augusta Treverorum in around 16 BC being named after the Roman emperor Augustus although the earliest settlement began through the Celts in the late 4th century BC.

Augusta Treverorum: Means "The City of Augustus among the Treveri"
Oldest: It Is Considered Germany's Oldest City

It grew to become the main city from the Roman province of Belgic Gaul It even continued to become among the Roman capitals of the Tetrarchy of the end from the 3rd century and oversaw much of the Western Roman Empire (in those days it had been known as "second Rome").

By the 4th century, it was among the largest cities within the Roman Empire with a population of between 75,000 and 100,000. It had been a center for that manufacture of armor, ballistae, and woolen uniforms for that Roman soldiers.

Some of the more impressive Roman ruins include:

Porta Nigra: The biggest and best-preserved Roman gate north from the Alps (Means "Black Gate")
Aula Palatina: Was The 67 Meter Long Throne Hall Of Roman Emperor Constantine – today A Protestant Church
Amphitheater: The Roman Trier Amphitheater
Roman Bridge: Built In The 2nd Century AD Over the Moselle – Today the Oldest Bridge north from the Alps Still crossed By Traffic
Baths: Ruins Of Three Roman Baths – Including The Largest North From the Alps
Trier Cathedral: Traces its Origins Back To Roman Times

Other Roman Ruins To See In Germany

There are lots of other Roman ruins in Germany – too many to read here. Here are a few of the more notable Roman ruins in Germany.

Saalburg Roman Fort:

This fort was part of the Upper Limes Germanicus just northwest of Bad Homburg in the current German state of Hesse. Travel there today and something will be able to see a near-complete reconstruction from the Roman fort by Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1897 during the German Empire.

Today there are also various artifacts displayed which help bring the Roman times alive. For additional info on can click on their Official Website.

Mainz – Mogontiacum:

Mogontiacum would be a strategically placed Legionary base that developed into a regional administrative center. It was additionally a gateway for Roman attacks into Germany. It had been around the Rhine at the mouth of the river Main. There are various Roman ruins to be seen.

LVR Archaeological Park Xanten:

Here one can see the ruins from the Roman settlement Colonia Ulpia Traiana, on the banks of the Lower Rhine. it had been founded in 70 AD, and grew to be the second most significant post of the province.