Augusta Raurica Roman Colony
Colonia Augusta Rauracorum
Roman (44 BCE–400 CE)·Roman (Colonia Augusta Rauracorum)·🇨🇭 Basel-Landschaft / Aargau, Switzerland
About
About Augusta Raurica Roman Colony
Best-preserved Roman colonial city on the Rhine, founded 44 BCE and monumentalized under Augustus. The 100 ha terrace city near Basel preserves a forum, the largest Roman theatre north of the Alps (116 m, 8000 spectators), amphitheatre, aqueduct and extensive pottery and glass workshops. Kaiseraugst late fort (Castrum Rauracense) and the Augusta Raurica museum illustrate 400 years of Rhine frontier life.
Why it mattersKey Roman (Colonia Augusta Rauracorum) site in Basel-Landschaft / Aargau.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Abandonment after Alemanni raids ca.260 CE — partial continuity at Castrum Rauracense
Theories
- 01Silberberg silver/lead works fed imperial coinage; Augst tile stamps show Legio I Martia presence
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 44 BCE (colonia charter)
- Period
- Roman (44 BCE–400 CE)
- Culture
- Roman (Colonia Augusta Rauracorum)
- Purpose
- Roman colonia on Rhine; civic and craft centre
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
44 BCE
Foundation as Colonia Augusta Rauracorum by Munatius Plancus
ca.260 CE
Sack during Alemanni incursion; shift to Castrum Rauracense
On the ground
Structures & features
47.5328° N · 7.7218° E · 280 m · 3 mapped features
- Roman Theatre of Augusta Rauricatheatre116 m diameter theatre (10,000 capacity) with scaenae frons and orchestra, largest north of Alps47.5338° N · 7.7230° E
- Castrum Rauracense (Kaiseraugst Fort)fortLate Roman Rhine fort ca.300 CE, walls 3 m thick, protecting Augusta Raurica's successor47.5308° N · 7.7248° E
- Schönbühl Temple PrecincttemplePodium temple on Schönbühl hill with altar and portico, civic cult centre47.5335° N · 7.7208° E
Gallery