Italian Culture and History :
The Ruins of Alba Fucens
Alba Fucens, ancient Roman city at the base of Monte Velino (Province of Aquila), is an archaeological jewel that one should most definitely explore. In fact, the ruins that emerged from excavations initiated by Fernand De Visscher in 1949 (continued throughout the 20th Century and recently taken up again) are truly remarkable. Given that the city lies in a rather strategic position, at the intersection between the territories inhabited by the Marsi and Equi, it was long contested between the two tribes. It became a Roman colony in 303 B.C., and eventually received the status of municipality.
Constantly allied with Rome, it helped to defend the Empire against Hannibal during the Second Punic War, and continued to demonstrate its loyalty during the Social War. However, for having taken the side of Marius against Sulla, its territory was parceled up (centuriation) and given to veterans of Sulla’s lieutenants. Having been part of the war between Pompey and Caesar, the city became a stronghold for the Anti-Caesarians commanded by DomitiusAhenobarbus, who later surrendered to Caesar.
In the Imperial Age Alba Fucens was thriving and prosperous; its archaeological remains testify to such, including a dominating amphitheatre that was commissioned by the Praetorian prefect Naevius Macro. Because after a succession of events, Macro was condemned by Caligula and stripped of his office, he soon committed suicide – but not before he requested the amphitheatre’s construction, in order to leave his legacy on his birthplace.
Among other finds discovered within the last century, one can admire the macellum or marketplace, the thermal spas (rich in mosaics and marine representations), the baths (male and female), and the pagan chapel of Hercules.
Structured as a tipical Roman fortress, the city developed along a grid of the ancient decumanus and cardo roads. Taking the Decumanus Maximus (present-day Via del Miliario), visitors can see an ancient domusromana divided into apartments featuring dry-wall construction, characteristic mosaics and typical pagan votive spaces; and stroll along its columns and peristiles raised up again by archaeologists.
Notice the craftsmanship of the milestone (marking the 68 Roman miles to the Imperial Capital) and depicting a gladiatorial battle with an inscription to the usurper-Emperor Flavius Magnentius. On the other side, on the so-called Via deiPilastri, are located the ancient tabernae with their original pavements, lead water ducts, and the counters and sinks of a wine bar. The enormous walls defending the city have also been very well preserved; they counted four entrances and extended for 3 km (1.86 mi) around the inhabited zones.
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