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Emerita Augusta (Mérida) |
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The emperor Augustus, who founded Emerita Augusta (modern Mérida) in 25 BCE. The town had the rank of colonia. He wears his toga as a priest, which is fitting for the founder of a city, because he had to perform certain religious acts. The first inhabitants were soldiers of two legions, X Gemina, V Alaudae, and perhaps XX Valeria Victrix. (The symbol of the fifth legion was a lark, and Latin valeria means 'eagle'; this may explain why wings were shown on Emerita's coins.) This bust, made of marble from Carrara, was found in the Theater. | |
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The town soon became one of the largest cities in Hispania, with a
territory of some 20.000 square kilometers. It was the capital of the province
of Lusitania.
Augustus' stepson Drusus. The emperor wanted this son of his wife Livia to become his successor, but he died in 9 BCE, not yet thirty years old. This portrait shows him at a considerably younger age, as he may have looked in 25. |
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Augustus' second stepson Tiberius as a boy. He was to be Augustus' successor and reigned from 14 to 37. | |
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A model of Emerita Augusta in the second century. Two aqueducts, the forum, the Capitol (a temple), the bridge and an amphitheater can be recognized. | |
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The first-century bridge across the Guadiana has often been repaired. With 60 arches and a length of almost 800 meters, it is the longest Roman bridge in Spain. | |
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Another picture of the bridge. Here you can see it on a satellite photo. | |
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The remains of the urban forum. | |
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A detail of the temple on the forum, with heads of Medusa and Jupiter. This type of decoration can also be found on the forum of Augustus in Rome. | |
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The honorary arch of Trajan, the emperor between 98-117, born in Hispania. He had defeated the Dacians and temporarily occupied Mesopotamia. The arch marked the entrance of the provincial forum | |
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Livius.Org, 2003 Revision: 28 May 2007 |
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