Eburobrittium: A Roman City in Portugal
Site at a Glance
- Rating
- 1
- Popularity
- Very Low
- Country
- Portugal
- Primary era
- Classical
- Eras represented
- Classical, Medieval
- Civilizations
- Roman
- Site type
- City
On this page6 sections
History
Roman foundation and use
Eburobrittium is a Roman city in Portugal, near Gaeiras in the municipality of Óbidos, probably established during the reign of Caesar Augustus in the late first century BC. Augustus, Rome’s first emperor, ruled from 27 BC to AD 14, providing the chronological setting for the city’s foundation. Eburobrittium stood between Lisbon, the Roman city of Olisipo, and Golpilheira, identified with Colipo.
The city is mentioned by Pliny the Elder in his first-century work Natural History, an encyclopedic account that included geography. Eburobrittium continued in use until the second half of the fifth century, marking a long period of Roman occupation in the region.
Later reoccupation and discovery
Parts of the former city were later occupied again, as shown by two medieval buildings. The Roman remains came to light in 1994 during construction of the IC1 and IP6 roads in Gaeiras, near the Sanctuary of Senhor Jesus da Pedra. Archaeological work at the site led to the discovery of a Roman forum in 1995.
Remains
Roman civic remains
The surviving archaeological area includes a Roman forum, a public civic complex used for administration, commerce, justice, and religious activities. Its discovery provides the clearest physical evidence of Eburobrittium’s civic organization and Roman urban character.
Medieval reoccupation
Two medieval buildings stand among the remains and represent the later reuse of parts of the Roman city. Their presence connects the ancient settlement with a subsequent phase of occupation at the site.
Nearby sites
