Posted on Sep 30, 2024
Razed city that rebelled against Rome 'remained uninhabited for over 170 years,' excavations...
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A city razed by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago after its people rebelled was destroyed so badly that it "remained uninhabited for over 170 years," until it was repurposed into an ancient landfill, according to archaeologists who excavated the ancient site in Italy.
The ruins at Fregellae, about 55 miles (90 kilometers) southeast of Rome, date from the siege and destruction of the city by Roman armies in 125 B.C.
The ruins at Fregellae, about 55 miles (90 kilometers) southeast of Rome, date from the siege and destruction of the city by Roman armies in 125 B.C.
Razed city that rebelled against Rome 'remained uninhabited for over 170 years,' excavations...
Posted from livescience.com
Rome
Ancient History
Posted 2 mo ago
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They messed around and found out... They literaly wiped you out of existence back then.
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Wow...the power of Rome wasn't to be trifled with. Especially when you had no Army like this town.
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Here's what I found minus the Advertising: **The Rise, Fall, and Echoes of Fregellae: A Tale of Rebellion and Ruin**
In the lush landscapes of what is now modern-day Italy, approximately 55 miles southeast of Rome, lies the ghostly remnants of Fregellae, an ancient city whose history is as dramatic as any Roman epic. Founded by the Opici or Oscans, later coming under the influence of the Volsci, Fregellae's strategic position on the Via Latina made it a significant Latin colony by 328 BC. However, its ambition or perhaps its quest for equality led to its dramatic downfall.
**The Golden Age of Fregellae**
Before its catastrophic end, Fregellae was a bustling hub, commanding the crossing of the Liris River. Its fertile lands produced wine, fruit, and grain, as evidenced by archaeobotanical studies from the oldest known villa in the region, built around 205 BC. This villa not only signifies the agricultural wealth but also the socio-economic stature of Fregellae's elite, showcasing a life of relative prosperity and stability under Roman influence.
**The Rebellion**
The year 125 BC marked a turning point. The people of Fregellae, perhaps tired of their "second-rate" citizenship status which denied them full legal rights, especially concerning land ownership, rebelled against Rome. This quest for full Roman citizenship was not just a political statement but a demand for equality and recognition.
**The Siege and Destruction**
Rome's response was swift and merciless. Under the command of praetor Lucius Opimius, Roman forces laid siege to Fregellae. The city was not just defeated; it was obliterated. Archaeologists have uncovered layers of fire damage, pottery fragments from the time, and the remains of what once were grand structures, all testifying to the severity of Rome's retribution. The destruction was so complete that Fregellae became uninhabitable, remaining a ghost town for over 170 years.
**From City to Landfill**
The once-thriving city turned into what could only be described as an ancient landfill. The economic and cultural heartbeat of the region was silenced, its lands left to waste, and its structures used as mere dumping grounds by those who came after, as evidenced by ceramic vessels from 50 AD found on site.
**Archaeological Insights**
Recent excavations led by researchers like Dominik Maschek have peeled back the layers of time, revealing not just the physical destruction but the economic devastation. The findings suggest that the Roman attack was not only to quell a rebellion but to set an example, showcasing the might of Rome and the futility of resistance. The discovery of a nearby Roman military camp further corroborates the historical accounts of a calculated military campaign aimed at suppression.
**Legacy of Fregellae**
Fregellae's story did not end in 125 BC. The site, now part of modern-day Arce, serves as a poignant reminder of the cost of rebellion in ancient times. Its ruins whisper tales of what was, what might have been, and the harsh realities of Roman imperialism. While Fregellae itself was replaced by Fabrateria Nova, its legacy lives on in archaeological circles as a case study in ancient warfare, urban life, and the socio-political dynamics of Roman expansion.
In conclusion, Fregellae stands as a testament to the fleeting nature of human endeavors against the backdrop of empire-building. Its destruction reminds us of the Roman ethos where cities could rise in strategic importance and fall in monumental defiance, only to be reclaimed by the earth, waiting centuries for their stories to be told again through the trowels of archaeologists.
In the lush landscapes of what is now modern-day Italy, approximately 55 miles southeast of Rome, lies the ghostly remnants of Fregellae, an ancient city whose history is as dramatic as any Roman epic. Founded by the Opici or Oscans, later coming under the influence of the Volsci, Fregellae's strategic position on the Via Latina made it a significant Latin colony by 328 BC. However, its ambition or perhaps its quest for equality led to its dramatic downfall.
**The Golden Age of Fregellae**
Before its catastrophic end, Fregellae was a bustling hub, commanding the crossing of the Liris River. Its fertile lands produced wine, fruit, and grain, as evidenced by archaeobotanical studies from the oldest known villa in the region, built around 205 BC. This villa not only signifies the agricultural wealth but also the socio-economic stature of Fregellae's elite, showcasing a life of relative prosperity and stability under Roman influence.
**The Rebellion**
The year 125 BC marked a turning point. The people of Fregellae, perhaps tired of their "second-rate" citizenship status which denied them full legal rights, especially concerning land ownership, rebelled against Rome. This quest for full Roman citizenship was not just a political statement but a demand for equality and recognition.
**The Siege and Destruction**
Rome's response was swift and merciless. Under the command of praetor Lucius Opimius, Roman forces laid siege to Fregellae. The city was not just defeated; it was obliterated. Archaeologists have uncovered layers of fire damage, pottery fragments from the time, and the remains of what once were grand structures, all testifying to the severity of Rome's retribution. The destruction was so complete that Fregellae became uninhabitable, remaining a ghost town for over 170 years.
**From City to Landfill**
The once-thriving city turned into what could only be described as an ancient landfill. The economic and cultural heartbeat of the region was silenced, its lands left to waste, and its structures used as mere dumping grounds by those who came after, as evidenced by ceramic vessels from 50 AD found on site.
**Archaeological Insights**
Recent excavations led by researchers like Dominik Maschek have peeled back the layers of time, revealing not just the physical destruction but the economic devastation. The findings suggest that the Roman attack was not only to quell a rebellion but to set an example, showcasing the might of Rome and the futility of resistance. The discovery of a nearby Roman military camp further corroborates the historical accounts of a calculated military campaign aimed at suppression.
**Legacy of Fregellae**
Fregellae's story did not end in 125 BC. The site, now part of modern-day Arce, serves as a poignant reminder of the cost of rebellion in ancient times. Its ruins whisper tales of what was, what might have been, and the harsh realities of Roman imperialism. While Fregellae itself was replaced by Fabrateria Nova, its legacy lives on in archaeological circles as a case study in ancient warfare, urban life, and the socio-political dynamics of Roman expansion.
In conclusion, Fregellae stands as a testament to the fleeting nature of human endeavors against the backdrop of empire-building. Its destruction reminds us of the Roman ethos where cities could rise in strategic importance and fall in monumental defiance, only to be reclaimed by the earth, waiting centuries for their stories to be told again through the trowels of archaeologists.
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