Archaeological Park of Urbs Salvia
Encyclopedia
The Archaeological Park of Urbs Salvia is situated in the comune
of Urbisaglia
(Province of Macerata
), in the Marche
s, Italy
. It is the largest archaeological park in the region.
The city, located in the V Regio Picenum
, was founded as a colonia
during the 2nd century BC.
It was the birthplace of some leading figures of the Roman Empire, such as the consul C. Fufius Geminus and Lucius Flavius Silva Nonius Bassus
.
Urbs Salvia was sacked by the Visigoths in 408-10 AD, and suffered destruction over the years from earthquakes and plundering.
The decadence of the town is described by the poet Dante Alighieri
(1265-1321) in his Divine Comedy (Paradiso, XVI, 73-78):
The itinerary starts at the Archaeological Museum which houses, among other things, epigraphs, statues and portraits that were excavated in Urbisaglia from the middle of the 18th century onwards.
It was formed by an underground vaulted conduit with lateral walls made of bricks (opus latericium
). The ancient aqueduct ran under the top of this hill and was about 1.5 km long. It had a gentle and constant slope so that it could carry water from a spring situated at the opposite side of the present-day Urbisaglia into this structure.
The cisterns consist of two barrel vaulted tunnels connected at both ends, with internal walls covered by hydraulic mortar. The whole structure was built in opus caementicium (Roman mortar).
Each tunnel was about 51 m long, 2.90 m wide and 4.10 m high and had a capacity of about 1,000 cubic metres of water.
The reservoir provided the whole town with spring water and it was situated in the highest area inside Urbs Salvia so that it could be powered only by gravity. In the reservoir are still visible:
, built in 23 AD, on the Hellenic model. The structure presents a cavea (auditorium) divided into three tiers of seats with entrances on the different levels. Around the cavea there is a corridor with steps running to the top, where there was a sacellum (small temple). Of the original stage the lower part of the walling is preserved; behind the stage, there is an artificial terrace which was framed by a colonnade supported by solid brick walling.
Lower down is a niched building, a containment wall which is to be included in the whole urban context pivoting on an axis characterized by the Theatre – Forum – Temple.
At the foot of the hill, conveniently placed alongside the Salaria Gallica (i.e. the main line of communication in the Picenum
, here matching up with the Cardo Maximus of the town), was the sanctuary-complex.
The main temple had a six-column facade. What remains of the original structure is part of the podium lacking the white limestone slabs with which it was originally paved. It was dedicated to the Salus Augusta (protector goddess of the Emperor), and was probably used for the imperial cult promoted by Tiberius
, successor of Augustus
. The temple is enclosed by a porticus made up of four underground galleries with frescoes in the 3rd Pompeiian style. The frescoes represent haunting animals, masks, and pictures connected with Augustus' political propaganda (trophies
).
Next to the main temple there is a smaller one. Behind it there is an area which was probably devoted to the ritual use of water, and behind the main temple there is a via munita, corresponding to the first East cardo
.
Just outside the city walls, there are two funeral monuments and the Amphitheatre
, one of the best preserved examples of this type in the Marche region.
The amphitheatre was built after the year 81 AD by the Urbisalvian Titus
' military general Lucius Flavius Silva Nonius Bassus
, who captured the Masada
fortress in Palestine. The amphitheatre was used for gladiatorial contests and other entertainments. All its perimeter is preserved up to the first seating level, including the first level of the vomitoria (the exit-ways) and the bases of the pillars of the external corridor. In its original form it probably had three tiers of seats. The external wall of the cavea (auditorium) had a series of semicircular niches which later formed the supports of the stairs to the entrances on the upper floors.
The arena is 59m long and 35m wide. The two entrances at the major axis of the elliptical amphitheatre were for the gladiator
s.
Comune
In Italy, the comune is the basic administrative division, and may be properly approximated in casual speech by the English word township or municipality.-Importance and function:...
of Urbisaglia
Urbisaglia
Urbisaglia is a comune in the province of Macerata, Marche, Italy. Its name comes from the ancient Roman town Urbs Salvia.-History:Situated in the Regio V Picenum, along the via Salaria Gallica, the town was founded during the 2nd century BC as a colonia...
(Province of Macerata
Province of Macerata
The Province of Macerata is a province in the Marche region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Macerata.It has an area of 2,774 km², and a total population of 301,701 . There are 57 comunes in the province, see Comunes of the Province of Macerata.-External links:*...
), in the Marche
Marche
The population density in the region is below the national average. In 2008, it was 161.5 inhabitants per km2, compared to the national figure of 198.8. It is highest in the province of Ancona , and lowest in the province of Macerata...
s, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. It is the largest archaeological park in the region.
History
Picenum
Picenum was a region of ancient Italy. The name is an exonym assigned by the Romans, who conquered and incorporated it into the Roman Republic. Picenum was the birthplace of such notables as Pompey the Great and his father Pompeius Strabo. It was situated in what is now Marche...
, was founded as a colonia
Colonia (Roman)
A Roman colonia was originally a Roman outpost established in conquered territory to secure it. Eventually, however, the term came to denote the highest status of Roman city.-History:...
during the 2nd century BC.
It was the birthplace of some leading figures of the Roman Empire, such as the consul C. Fufius Geminus and Lucius Flavius Silva Nonius Bassus
Lucius Flavius Silva
Lucius Flavius Silva Nonius Bassus was a late-1st century Roman general, governor of the province of Iudaea and consul. History remembers Silva as the Roman commander who led his army, composed mainly of the Legio X Fretensis, in 73 AD up to Masada and laid siege to its near-impenetrable mountain...
.
Urbs Salvia was sacked by the Visigoths in 408-10 AD, and suffered destruction over the years from earthquakes and plundering.
The decadence of the town is described by the poet Dante Alighieri
Dante Alighieri
Durante degli Alighieri, mononymously referred to as Dante , was an Italian poet, prose writer, literary theorist, moral philosopher, and political thinker. He is best known for the monumental epic poem La commedia, later named La divina commedia ...
(1265-1321) in his Divine Comedy (Paradiso, XVI, 73-78):
If Luni thou regard, and Urbisaglia,
How they have passed away, and how are passing
Chiusi and Senigallia after them,
To hear how races waste themselves away
Will seem to thee no novel thing nor hard
Seeing that even cities have an end.
The Archaeological Park
The Archaeological Park of Urbs Salvia is exceptional on account of the ease with which the overall building plan can be deciphered.The itinerary starts at the Archaeological Museum which houses, among other things, epigraphs, statues and portraits that were excavated in Urbisaglia from the middle of the 18th century onwards.
Reservoir
Just outside the medieval city walls, on the highest point of the site, you can find the large reservoir collecting and cleaning the water coming from the Roman Aqueduct of Urbs Salvia.Opus latericium
thumb|250px|Example of opus latericium on a tomb of the ancient [[Appian Way]] in [[Rome]].Opus latericium is an ancient Roman form of construction in which coarse-laid brickwork is used to face a core of opus caementicium....
). The ancient aqueduct ran under the top of this hill and was about 1.5 km long. It had a gentle and constant slope so that it could carry water from a spring situated at the opposite side of the present-day Urbisaglia into this structure.
The cisterns consist of two barrel vaulted tunnels connected at both ends, with internal walls covered by hydraulic mortar. The whole structure was built in opus caementicium (Roman mortar).
Each tunnel was about 51 m long, 2.90 m wide and 4.10 m high and had a capacity of about 1,000 cubic metres of water.
The reservoir provided the whole town with spring water and it was situated in the highest area inside Urbs Salvia so that it could be powered only by gravity. In the reservoir are still visible:
- the water outlet: the opening through which water was distributed to the town. The pipes were made of lead (fistulae);
- the ventilation shafts (lumina): a series of openings in the vault for air exchange, check of level and quality of water and periodical maintenance (manual cleaning of the internal walls);
- the water inlet: whence water flowed inside. It is formed by one of the ends of the aqueduct and shows a very thick layer of water deposit (calcium carbonate);
- traces of the planks utilized to built the vaults are still visible at some parts.
From the Theatre to the Amphiteatre
Proceeding downwards there is the imposing Roman TheatreRoman theatre (structure)
The characteristics of Roman to those of the earlier Greek theatres due in large part to its influence on the Roman triumvir Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus. Much of the architectural influence on the Romans came from the Greeks, and theatre structural design was no different from other buildings...
, built in 23 AD, on the Hellenic model. The structure presents a cavea (auditorium) divided into three tiers of seats with entrances on the different levels. Around the cavea there is a corridor with steps running to the top, where there was a sacellum (small temple). Of the original stage the lower part of the walling is preserved; behind the stage, there is an artificial terrace which was framed by a colonnade supported by solid brick walling.
Lower down is a niched building, a containment wall which is to be included in the whole urban context pivoting on an axis characterized by the Theatre – Forum – Temple.
At the foot of the hill, conveniently placed alongside the Salaria Gallica (i.e. the main line of communication in the Picenum
Picenum
Picenum was a region of ancient Italy. The name is an exonym assigned by the Romans, who conquered and incorporated it into the Roman Republic. Picenum was the birthplace of such notables as Pompey the Great and his father Pompeius Strabo. It was situated in what is now Marche...
, here matching up with the Cardo Maximus of the town), was the sanctuary-complex.
The main temple had a six-column facade. What remains of the original structure is part of the podium lacking the white limestone slabs with which it was originally paved. It was dedicated to the Salus Augusta (protector goddess of the Emperor), and was probably used for the imperial cult promoted by Tiberius
Tiberius
Tiberius , was Roman Emperor from 14 AD to 37 AD. Tiberius was by birth a Claudian, son of Tiberius Claudius Nero and Livia Drusilla. His mother divorced Nero and married Augustus in 39 BC, making him a step-son of Octavian...
, successor of Augustus
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
. The temple is enclosed by a porticus made up of four underground galleries with frescoes in the 3rd Pompeiian style. The frescoes represent haunting animals, masks, and pictures connected with Augustus' political propaganda (trophies
Tropaion
A tropaion , whence English "trophy" is an ancient Greek and later Roman monument set up to commemorate a victory over one's foes. Typically this takes the shape of a tree, sometimes with a pair of arm-like branches upon which is hung the armour of a defeated and dead foe...
).
Next to the main temple there is a smaller one. Behind it there is an area which was probably devoted to the ritual use of water, and behind the main temple there is a via munita, corresponding to the first East cardo
Cardo
The cardo was a north-south oriented street in Roman cities, military camps, and coloniae. The cardo, an integral component of city planning, was lined with shops and vendors, and served as a hub of economic life. The main cardo was called cardo maximus.Most Roman cities also had a Decumanus...
.
Just outside the city walls, there are two funeral monuments and the Amphitheatre
Roman amphitheatre
Roman amphitheatres are amphitheatres – large, circular or oval open-air venues with raised seating – built by the Ancient Romans. They were used for events such as gladiator combats, chariot races, venationes and executions. About 230 Roman amphitheatres have been found across the area of the...
, one of the best preserved examples of this type in the Marche region.
The amphitheatre was built after the year 81 AD by the Urbisalvian Titus
Titus
Titus , was Roman Emperor from 79 to 81. A member of the Flavian dynasty, Titus succeeded his father Vespasian upon his death, thus becoming the first Roman Emperor to come to the throne after his own father....
' military general Lucius Flavius Silva Nonius Bassus
Lucius Flavius Silva
Lucius Flavius Silva Nonius Bassus was a late-1st century Roman general, governor of the province of Iudaea and consul. History remembers Silva as the Roman commander who led his army, composed mainly of the Legio X Fretensis, in 73 AD up to Masada and laid siege to its near-impenetrable mountain...
, who captured the Masada
Masada
Masada is the name for a site of ancient palaces and fortifications in the South District of Israel, on top of an isolated rock plateau, or horst, on the eastern edge of the Judean Desert, overlooking the Dead Sea. Masada is best known for the violence that occurred there in the first century CE...
fortress in Palestine. The amphitheatre was used for gladiatorial contests and other entertainments. All its perimeter is preserved up to the first seating level, including the first level of the vomitoria (the exit-ways) and the bases of the pillars of the external corridor. In its original form it probably had three tiers of seats. The external wall of the cavea (auditorium) had a series of semicircular niches which later formed the supports of the stairs to the entrances on the upper floors.
The arena is 59m long and 35m wide. The two entrances at the major axis of the elliptical amphitheatre were for the gladiator
Gladiator
A gladiator was an armed combatant who entertained audiences in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals. Some gladiators were volunteers who risked their legal and social standing and their lives by appearing in the...
s.
Sources
- Bacchielli L. - Ch. Delplace - W. Eck - L. Gasperini - G. Paci. Studi su Urbisaglia romana. Supplementi a PICUS. Tivoli, 1995.
- Bertini, Adelaide - Giuseppe Ferranti - Miria Salvucci (et al. ). Abati e feudatari nella Valle del Fiastra. Urbisaglia, 1996.
- Capodaglio, Giuseppina. Statue e ritratti di età romana da Urbs Salvia. Pollenza, 1994.
- Capodaglio, Giuseppina - Fabrizio Cipolletta. I teatri romani nelle Marche. Macerata, 1999.
- Fabrini, Giovanna Maria. Il nuovo volto di Urbs Salvia: dalle origini alla prima età imperiale. In G. de Marinis - G. Paci - E. Percossi - M. Silvestrini. Archeologia nel Maceratese. Nuove Acquisizioni. 2005.
- Ferranti, Giuseppe. Guida al territorio di Urbisaglia. Pro Manoscritto a cura di Urbsalviambiente. Urbisaglia, 1994.
- Luni Mario ( a cura di). Archeologia nelle Marche. Dalla preistoria all'Età tardoantica. Firenze, 2003.
- Salvucci Benedetto ( a cura di). Urbs Salvia. Periodico, I-III. Urbisaglia, 1970-1972.
- Salvucci Miria - Salvucci Giovanna (et al. ). Urbisaglia. Urbs Salvia, Capolavori in corso. Urbisaglia, 2003.