Augusta Bagiennorum: A Roman Municipium in Piedmont, Italy
Table of Contents
Visitor Information
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Official Website: www.benevagienna.it
Country: Italy
Civilization: Celtic, Roman
Remains: Burial, City, Civic, Domestic, Economic, Entertainment, Infrastructure, Military, Religious, Sanitation
Context
The Archaeological Area of the Roman City Augusta Bagiennorum is situated near Bene Vagienna in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. It occupies a strategic plateau within the upper Tanaro valley, an environment characterized by gently rolling hills and fertile plains conducive to agriculture. The site’s location provided access to reliable water sources, including the nearby Mondalavia stream, and lay along routes connecting the Po Valley to the Ligurian coast, facilitating communication and trade within the region.
Augusta Bagiennorum occupies the historical territory once inhabited by the Bagienni, a Ligurian tribe whose presence predates Roman control. The site’s position within this landscape reflects its role as a regional center during Roman times, serving administrative, economic, and social functions. Archaeological investigations have revealed a well-preserved urban plan and substantial public architecture, offering valuable insights into Roman urbanism in Piedmont. The site’s occupation extends from its foundation in the late 1st century BCE through Late Antiquity, with evidence of gradual decline from the 4th century CE onward, mirroring broader regional transformations.
Systematic excavations, initiated in the 19th century and continuing intermittently to the present, have uncovered key elements of the city’s infrastructure and public buildings. Conservation efforts aim to protect these remains and support ongoing research, making Augusta Bagiennorum a significant locus for understanding the Romanization of northern Italy and the evolution of urban settlements in this borderland region.
History
Augusta Bagiennorum’s historical significance lies in its transformation from a pre-Roman tribal center into a Roman municipium that played a notable role in the administrative and economic landscape of Roman Liguria. Founded in the late 1st century BCE on a newly planned urban grid, the city developed substantial public architecture and infrastructure, reflecting its integration into imperial networks. Its occupation persisted into Late Antiquity, with Christian architectural adaptations marking the transition to early medieval use before eventual abandonment.
Pre-Roman and Ligurian Period
Prior to Roman conquest, the site served as the principal settlement of the Bagienni, a Ligurian tribe inhabiting the valleys of the middle Tanaro and Stura di Demonte rivers in what is now the province of Cuneo. Archaeological and historical sources indicate that this settlement functioned as the tribal capital. However, in the 4th century BCE, Celtic incursions, particularly by the Boii tribe, led to the destruction of the original Ligurian town. This event forced the Bagienni to relocate southeastward, establishing a new center near Bobbio in the Trebbia Valley. Consequently, the original settlement was abandoned, and no direct urban continuity exists between the Ligurian and Roman phases at the site.
Roman Conquest and Foundation (Mid-2nd century BCE – Early 1st century CE)
Roman expansion into northern Italy during the mid-2nd century BCE brought the Bagienni territory under imperial control. The Roman city of Augusta Bagiennorum was founded in the late 1st century BCE, likely as part of Emperor Augustus’s regional reorganization efforts. The city’s name, incorporating the imperial title “Augustus,” signifies its status as a Roman colony established on a new, systematically planned urban layout rather than over a pre-existing settlement. Augusta Bagiennorum was one of several colonies founded in the region alongside Augusta Taurinorum (modern Turin) and Augusta Praetoria (modern Aosta). Pliny the Elder later identified it as one of the notable towns (nobilia oppida) within Regio IX Liguria, underscoring its administrative and regional importance within the Roman provincial framework.
Imperial Roman Period (1st–4th centuries CE)
Throughout the 1st to 4th centuries CE, Augusta Bagiennorum functioned as a significant urban center within Roman Liguria, contributing to the agricultural exploitation of the surrounding territory. It formed a strategic triangle with nearby settlements such as Pollentia (modern Pollenzo) and Alba Pompeia (modern Alba), interconnected by major Roman roads facilitating trade and communication. The city was enclosed by defensive walls featuring corner towers and gates, supplemented by a ditch (vallum) on three sides and natural protection from a steep slope descending to the Mondalavia stream on the fourth side. The urban plan centered on a principal east-west axis, the decumanus maximus, which remains discernible in the modern landscape.
Archaeological excavations have revealed a range of public buildings dating to this period. The amphitheatre, measuring approximately 120 by 90 meters, was constructed in opus incertum with brick bands during the first half of the 1st century CE and lies outside the city walls. The theatre, with a stage about 40 meters long, is situated southeast of the forum and is accompanied by a quadriporticus and a temple podium. The forum itself comprised an open rectangular space surrounded by porticoes containing shops with plastered walls, a three-nave civil basilica on one short side, and a porticoed square dominated by a temple on a high podium opposite. Multiple construction phases in the forum area, spanning the 1st to 4th centuries CE, indicate sustained urban development and civic investment.
Additional infrastructure included an aqueduct supplying water to the city and public baths constructed with Roman concrete and brick bands. Outside the city walls, partial excavations of the amphitheatre have uncovered perimeter walls, radial supports, staircases, and vaulted corridors providing access to the arena. A production complex dated to the 1st–2nd centuries CE, featuring multiple rooms arranged around a central courtyard with cocciopesto floors and furnace drainage channels, has been identified near the modern road to Roncaglia. Funerary monuments and aqueduct remains are also present near the site, adjacent to the small rural church of San Pietro.
Late Antiquity and Early Medieval Period (5th–8th centuries CE)
During the 5th and 6th centuries CE, Augusta Bagiennorum underwent significant transformations reflecting the broader Christianization of the Roman world and the decline of urban centers in northern Italy. A small paleochristian basilica with three apses was constructed atop the former temple podium within the forum, demonstrating the adaptation of pagan religious architecture for Christian worship. This basilica was subsequently remodeled in the 7th and 8th centuries, indicating continued, though diminished, occupation.
Funerary remains from the early medieval period, including inhumation burials located near the forum altar and temple area, attest to ongoing ritual activity after the city’s decline. While the region experienced political upheavals during the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and the subsequent Lombard and Frankish dominations, there is no direct archaeological evidence linking Augusta Bagiennorum to specific military or administrative roles during this time. The site’s gradual abandonment aligns with widespread patterns of urban contraction and ruralization in northern Italy during Late Antiquity and the early Middle Ages.
Daily Life and Importance by Period
Roman Conquest and Foundation (Mid-2nd century BCE – Early 1st century CE)
The foundation of Augusta Bagiennorum as a Roman municipium introduced a new urban and social order distinct from the earlier Ligurian settlement. The city was laid out on a planned grid, reflecting Roman colonial urbanism, and its population likely included Roman settlers, local Ligurian descendants, and possibly military veterans. Inscriptions attest to the presence of municipal magistrates such as duumviri, indicating organized local governance.
The economy was predominantly agricultural, exploiting the fertile plains of the upper Tanaro valley for the cultivation of cereals, olives, and vines. Evidence of a production complex near Roncaglia, with cocciopesto floors and furnace drainage, suggests small-scale manufacturing activities, possibly related to ceramics or metalworking. Daily life involved consumption of staple foods typical of Roman provincial diets, including bread, olives, and locally produced wine. Clothing styles conformed to Roman provincial norms, with men wearing tunics and cloaks and women adopting stolas and pallae. Religious practices centered on traditional Roman and local deities, with civic cults reinforcing municipal identity and loyalty to Augustus.
Imperial Roman Period (1st–4th centuries CE)
By the Imperial period, Augusta Bagiennorum had developed into a fortified urban center with a socially diverse population comprising Roman citizens, local Ligurians, artisans, merchants, and possibly slaves. Civic offices, documented through inscriptions, regulated administration, justice, and religious ceremonies. Family life followed Roman patriarchal structures, with gender roles emphasizing male authority in public affairs and female management of domestic spaces.
Agriculture remained central to the economy, supported by infrastructure such as an aqueduct and public baths that facilitated urban hygiene and social interaction. The forum complex served as the commercial and civic nucleus, with shops housed in porticoes and a three-nave basilica for administrative functions. Workshops and artisan activities likely flourished in adjacent areas, contributing to a mixed urban economy. Dietary evidence and regional comparisons suggest consumption of cereals, legumes, olives, wine, and occasional meat or fish. Clothing reflected imperial fashions, with wool and linen garments dyed and tailored to indicate social status. The presence of a large amphitheatre and theatre indicates active cultural life, with public spectacles and performances reinforcing community cohesion. Religious observances encompassed traditional Roman pantheons, imperial cults, and local deities, with temples and rituals integral to civic identity.
Late Antiquity and Early Medieval Period (5th–8th centuries CE)
From the 5th century onward, Augusta Bagiennorum experienced demographic decline and urban contraction consistent with regional trends in northern Italy. The population decreased and social complexity diminished, with Christian communities supplanting earlier pagan institutions. Economic activity contracted to subsistence agriculture and limited craft production, sustaining a reduced populace.
The conversion of the former temple podium into a paleochristian basilica with three apses reflects the reorganization of religious life around Christianity. Modifications to this basilica in the 7th and 8th centuries indicate continuity of worship despite overall decline. Dietary and clothing practices likely became more austere, with fewer imported goods and simpler garments typical of early medieval rural populations. Domestic spaces were probably less elaborately decorated, focusing on practical needs. Funerary remains with inhumation burials near the forum area demonstrate continued ritual observance and Christian burial customs. Transport and trade diminished, with local routes serving primarily subsistence communities. The site lost municipal status and administrative functions, becoming a marginal settlement within shifting political landscapes dominated by Lombard and Frankish powers. Educational and cultural life, if present, would have centered on Christian instruction within the basilica, though direct evidence is lacking. The gradual abandonment of Augusta Bagiennorum reflects the broader transformation of urban centers into ruralized communities during the early medieval period.
Remains
Architectural Features
Augusta Bagiennorum preserves a Roman urban layout characteristic of municipia founded in the late 1st century BCE. The city was enclosed by masonry walls reinforced with towers at corners and gates. A defensive ditch (vallum) surrounds three sides, while the southeast side benefits from a natural steep slope descending to the Mondalavia stream. The main east-west street, the decumanus maximus, remains traceable in the modern landscape. Construction techniques include opus incertum (irregular stonework) with brick bands, notably in public buildings such as the amphitheatre and baths. The urban fabric comprises civic, religious, and entertainment structures, with evidence of expansion and modification from the 1st through the 4th centuries CE. Christian architectural adaptations appear in the 5th to 8th centuries CE, reflecting continued but diminished occupation.
Key Buildings and Structures
Amphitheatre
Located outside the city walls, the amphitheatre dates to the first half of the 1st century CE. It measures approximately 120 meters along its major axis and 90 meters along the minor axis. Excavations have revealed the external perimeter wall, radial walls supporting seating tiers, and U-shaped avancorpi (projecting buttresses) forming entrances. Traces of staircases leading to upper levels and a vaulted corridor providing direct access to the arena have been identified. Constructed using opus incertum with brick bands, the amphitheatre remains only partially excavated, with significant portions still buried beneath the surface.
Theatre and Adjacent Basilica
The theatre lies southeast of the forum and features a stage approximately 40 meters in length. Adjacent to the theatre is a quadriporticus—a four-sided portico—centered on a temple podium. On this podium, a small paleochristian basilica with three apses was constructed in the 5th to 6th centuries CE and remodeled during the 7th and 8th centuries. This complex illustrates architectural continuity from the Imperial period into Late Antiquity and the early medieval era.
Forum Complex
The forum is an open rectangular space flanked on its long sides by porticoes containing shops with plastered walls, indicating finished interiors. One short side hosts a three-nave civil basilica used for civic functions, dating from the 1st century CE with modifications through the 4th century. Opposite this basilica, the forum is bordered by a second porticoed area on three sides, dominated by a temple raised on a high podium. An altar constructed of pebbles and mortar was uncovered in front of the temple. The forum area exhibits multiple construction phases spanning the 1st to 4th centuries CE. Early medieval inhumation burials were found near the altar, dating to after the city’s decline.
City Walls and Gates
The city’s fortifications consist of masonry walls reinforced by towers at corners and gates. One city gate has been excavated, flanked by two towers. The defensive system includes a ditch on three sides, while the southeast side is naturally protected by a steep slope. The walls and gates primarily date to the 1st century CE, constructed using stone masonry with brick bands. Evidence of repairs or modifications in later centuries may exist but remains to be fully documented.
Aqueduct and Associated Structures
Remains of the ancient aqueduct are preserved beyond the modern municipal road to Roncaglia. The aqueduct comprises masonry channels and structural elements visible in situ. The small rural church of San Pietro is built adjoining these aqueduct remains, indicating reuse of the site in later periods. The aqueduct dates to the Imperial period and supplied water to public and private facilities within the city.
Public Baths
Within the city, remains of public baths have been identified. Constructed using Roman concrete faced with small stones and brick bands at intervals, the baths likely included hypocaust heating systems and bathing rooms, although the full layout remains incompletely excavated. The baths date to the 1st or 2nd century CE, consistent with the city’s urban development phases.
Possible Production Complex
Located beyond the road to Roncaglia, a multi-roomed structure opening onto a central courtyard has been identified as a possible production complex. Floors are paved with cocciopesto, a waterproof mortar made with crushed pottery. The complex includes channels and furnace drainage systems, dated to the 1st and 2nd centuries CE. This suggests industrial or craft activities, possibly related to ceramics or metalworking, within the urban periphery.
Basilica near the Theatre (Paleochristian Basilica)
Constructed in the 5th to 6th centuries CE atop the temple podium near the theatre, this small basilica features three apses and underwent remodeling in the 7th and 8th centuries CE. The building exemplifies the Christian adaptation of earlier pagan religious structures during Late Antiquity and the early medieval period.
Other Remains
Traces of domestic buildings and houses have been identified within the urban area, though many remain fragmentary and unexcavated. Surface remains include low walls and floor layers. A quadrangular funerary monument is preserved near the aqueduct remains. The ancient urban layout is partially preserved, with a path following the decumanus maximus. Funerary remains, including early medieval inhumation burials, have been found near the forum altar and temple area, indicating limited post-Roman use of the site.
Archaeological Discoveries
Excavations have yielded a variety of artifacts spanning from the late 1st century BCE through the early medieval period. Pottery assemblages include locally produced tableware and amphorae, reflecting regional trade and daily consumption. Inscriptions on architectural fragments and dedicatory altars provide evidence of construction phases and religious dedications. Coins from various Imperial dynasties assist in establishing chronological frameworks. Tools related to agricultural and craft activities were recovered from the production complex and domestic contexts. Domestic objects such as lamps and cooking vessels appear in residential areas. Religious artifacts include altars and ritual vessels associated with the forum temple and the paleochristian basilica. Collectively, these finds document the economic, religious, and domestic life of Augusta Bagiennorum across its occupation span.
Preservation and Current Status
The preservation of Augusta Bagiennorum’s remains varies across the site. The amphitheatre and theatre retain partial structural elements, including walls and vaults, though much remains buried. The forum’s porticoes and basilica foundations survive in fragmentary form. City walls and gate towers are visible in places, though some sections have collapsed. The aqueduct masonry is preserved but exposed to environmental degradation. The baths and production complex survive as partial ruins. The paleochristian basilica shows structural remains with evidence of remodeling. Conservation efforts have stabilized exposed structures, but many areas remain unexcavated or fragmentary. Vegetation growth and erosion present ongoing challenges. The site is managed by regional heritage authorities, protected since 1933, and designated a natural reserve since 1993.
Unexcavated Areas
Significant portions of the amphitheatre remain unexcavated, limiting comprehensive understanding of its full layout and function. Other urban sectors, including residential quarters and potential commercial zones, are poorly studied or known only from surface remains. Geophysical surveys and historic cartography suggest buried structures beyond currently excavated areas. Excavation is constrained by conservation policies and modern land use, necessitating a cautious approach to balance research objectives with preservation. Further exploration of the city’s defensive walls and gates is required to clarify construction phases and later modifications.
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