Between mountains and frontiers: the Roman settlement system in the provinces of Germania Superior, Raetia and Noricum

Abstract

This study investigates the

settlement system in the Roman provinces of Germania Superior, Raetia and

Noricum by combining historical and archaeological sources. From this study it

appears that a complex settlement system existed in the region before the Roman conquest. However, under influence of the Roman administration that settlement system changed. Transitions could be observed in the location of centres, in their lay-out and services. A total of 30 self-governing towns were found for the Roman period, founded between the 1st century and the early 3rd century AD. Because this relatively low number of towns allowed many subordinate centres in the region to take up central services of cultural or economic kind for a wider region. The study identified the presence of the Roman army as an important incentive for the urban development in the region. Many Roman towns originated from a military base and the needs for communication, agricultural products, utensils and cultural activities in order to sustain the soldiers encouraged the countryside and centres to flourish. In a final chapter the study takes a critical look at the numerous remains of this Roman settlement system which are nowadays considered as heritage.