Aquincum - 1

We travelled to Óbuda (old Buda) across the river to visit the remains a 2nd century (from 1st century BC to about 3rd century AD) Roman city, Aquincum. In its heyday, Aquincum was home to some 15,000 residents. Because it was so large and lasted so long, there are a significant number of artifacts, gravestones, building parts, and information about its residents.



Naturally, the Romans built a bath, complete with the raised floor so the heated air could circulate underneath. The small arches are to all the air to circulate to hear the floor and then the water above. 

There were buildings here that have been identified as the homes of merchants, artisans, carpenters, and many others. Unfortunately, all that is left are the foundations in most places.

Wikipedia tells a brief history of the place better than I can:

Aquincum was an ancient city, situated on the northeastern borders of the province of Pannonia within the Roman Empire. The ruins of the city can be found today in Budapest, the capital city of Hungary. It is believed that Marcus Aurelius wrote at least part of his book Meditations at Aquincum.

Aquincum was originally settled by the Eravisci, a Celtic tribe. Aquincum served as a military base (castrum), having been part of the Roman border protection system called limes. Around AD 41-54, a 500-strong cavalry unit arrived, and a Roman legion of 6,000 men (Legio II Adiutrix)^[1][2] was stationed here by AD 89. The city gradually grew around the fortress, and after Pannonia was reorganised by the Romans in AD 106, Aquincum became the capital city of the Roman province of Pannonia Inferior^[3], holding that position until the administrative reform of Diocletian, more than a hundred years later.^[4] Under Hadrian, the city obtained municipal status, while under Septimius Severus, Aquincum became a colonia.^[5] 

I found what was clearly a older tree standing among the ruins of this Roman city. I found the contrast striking. Here is a tree that is old in human terms...perhaps a couple generations old or more. Yet, here it is among the remains of a city that is two millennia old. It is hard to really get a proper perspective on just how long ago this place was built.

Some of the grave stones were quite striking.

After being buried for most of the 2,000 years, they still contain a lot of detail.

Tomorrow, we will look at some of the smaller and surprising artifacts that were found here.