Romans in Germany
The Romans in Germany
There were many territories that made up the Roman Empire. These territories that it was a part of helped to make the it one of the greatest civilizations of all time. One such territory was Germania, which later developed into the present day country of Germany. For nearly half a millennium much of what is now Western Germany formed an integral part of the Roman Empire. In 55 B.C., Caesar’s armies reached the Rhine and by 15 BC Roman armies had advanced as far as the Danube River. The history that we know of Ancient Germany under Roman power comes from ancient sources that have been discovered through archaeology, written history, and also oral history. Archaeology is a large part of how most of Germany’s history has been compiled. Through archaeological digs it has been established how Roman culture influenced the Germans and also what kind of lifestyle the German people led. The Romans brought with them their highly developed urban civilization which they grafted upon the conquered Germanic peoples along the Rhine and the Danube Rivers. With their armies, they brought city governors, engineers, architects, surveyors, merchants, artisans, and craftsmen. Towns were built, using Roman city planning principles with homes, featuring mosaic floors and wall paintings. Fresh water was carried by aqueducts from the nearby mountains, supplying fountains, public baths, and even private homes. Entertainment was provided by theaters, amphitheaters, and circuses. A Forum or marketplace usually surrounded by colonnades was the center of civic life. Public buildings included a market and temples dedicated to Roman, native, and oriental gods or goddesses. Thriving businesses were established, among them the manufacture of pottery and glass, the mining of ore, and the quarrying of building materials. Another source of information that opens up Germany culture is written history. Caesar and Tacitus both wrote about the German culture and the
There were many territories that made up the Roman Empire. These territories that it was a part of helped to make the it one of the greatest civilizations of all time. One such territory was Germania, which later developed into the present day country of Germany. For nearly half a millennium much of what is now Western Germany formed an integral part of the Roman Empire. In 55 B.C., Caesar’s armies reached the Rhine and by 15 BC Roman armies had advanced as far as the Danube River. The history that we know of Ancient Germany under Roman power comes from ancient sources that have been discovered through archaeology, written history, and also oral history. Archaeology is a large part of how most of Germany’s history has been compiled. Through archaeological digs it has been established how Roman culture influenced the Germans and also what kind of lifestyle the German people led. The Romans brought with them their highly developed urban civilization which they grafted upon the conquered Germanic peoples along the Rhine and the Danube Rivers. With their armies, they brought city governors, engineers, architects, surveyors, merchants, artisans, and craftsmen. Towns were built, using Roman city planning principles with homes, featuring mosaic floors and wall paintings. Fresh water was carried by aqueducts from the nearby mountains, supplying fountains, public baths, and even private homes. Entertainment was provided by theaters, amphitheaters, and circuses. A Forum or marketplace usually surrounded by colonnades was the center of civic life. Public buildings included a market and temples dedicated to Roman, native, and oriental gods or goddesses. Thriving businesses were established, among them the manufacture of pottery and glass, the mining of ore, and the quarrying of building materials. Another source of information that opens up Germany culture is written history. Caesar and Tacitus both wrote about the German culture and the