Corseul Roman Ruins

Corseul, France

Corseul was called Fanum Martis ('Temple of Mars') in Latin and was the capital of the Gallo-Roman province of Coriosolites. It was founded in 10 BC. In the 3rd and 4th centuries, like many other cities, Fanum Martis was renamed for its people, the Curiosolitae. This name change occurred as the Roman Empire weakened and paralleled a revival of the ancient Gallic gods in local religious sculptures and dedicatory inscriptions.

Monterfil, today in Corseul city centre, was the antic city’s trading area and was built on a Roman grid plan. It was laid out around a 10m wide central street and two main perpendicular lanes delineating the blocks or insulae. It was developed in the 1st century BC and remained active until the 3rd century AD when it was burnt. The site has been transformed into an elegant public garden known as Jardin des Antiques.

References:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 10 BC
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in France
Historical period: Roman Gaul (France)

More Information

www.travelfranceonline.com

User Reviews

Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Walls of Constantinople

The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last great fortification system of antiquity, and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built. They were also the largest and strongest fortification in both the ancient and medieval world.

Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, they were, when well-manned, almost impregnable for any medieval besieger.