Oppidum
An oppidum (plural: oppida) is a large fortified Iron Age settlement.
In the 2nd and 1st centuries BC, they were in all parts of Europe. They continued until the Romans conquered Southern and Western Europe. In Germania, north of the rivers Danube and Rhine, oppida were used into the 1st century AD.
Julius Caesar called the larger Celtic Iron Age settlements he found in Gaul oppida. The word is now used to describe the large pre-Roman towns that existed across Western and Central Europe.[1] Many oppida grew from hill forts, but not all of them had an important defensive role. The main features of the oppida are:
- the planned building of the walls and gates
- the spacious layout
- a view of the surrounding area.
The development of oppida was an important step in the urbanisation of Europe. They were the first large settlements north of the Mediterranean that could be described as towns. Caesar pointed out that each tribe of Gaul would have several oppida, but that they were not all of equal importance. This suggests that there was some form of hierarchy.
In conquered lands, the Romans took over the oppida to administer the Empire, and many became full Roman towns. This often involved a change of location from the hilltop into the plain.
One of the best preserved oppida is at Enserune in France.[2] It was occupied continuously from 6th century BC until the 1st century. Other oppida are now buried beneath large cities, such as Vindobona which is covered by Vienna.[3]
Oppidum Media
Distribution of fortified oppida, La Tène period
Murus Gallicus, illustration
Part of the Celtic oppidum of Manching, Germany
Celtic Museum Manching ( Bavaria ). Reconstruction of the oppidum of Manching ( 2nd century BC ).
Celtic Oppidum Central Europe 1st century B.C.
The Rebout Gate, the main access to the oppidum of Bibracte in the 1st century BC. Door and walls were rebuilt after the excavation using the murus gallicus technique. Nièvre, Morvan, Burgundy, France.
Bibracte oppidum, France, seen from above, 1st century BC
Staffelberg bei Staffelstein, Oberes Maintal, Bayern
Digital reconstruction of the oppidum of Corent, France, La Tene culture
Monumental gate, walls, and paved streets, in the oppidum of San Cibrao de Lás.
References
- ↑ "Oppidum". Oxford Dictionaries Online. 2011. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
- ↑ "Prehistory: The oppidum at Enserune". The History of the Languedoc. 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
- ↑ "Vindobona (Vienna)". livius.org. 2011. Archived from the original on 3 April 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2011.