Camp of Diocletian: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== |
==Overview== |
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The military camp spanned an area of {{convert|4|ha}} in an enclosure in the western end of the city.<ref name="Pollard"/> The camp was built on a hill separated from the town proper with a small wall. The hill was located at the far end of the city's [[Great Colonnade]] from the [[Temple of Bel]]. The area was organized in cross [[colonnade]]s, the ''via praetoria'' and the ''via principalis'', that intersected in a ''[[tetrapylon]]''. The ''via praetoria'' axis started at the |
The military camp spanned an area of {{convert|4|ha}} in an enclosure in the western end of the city.<ref name="Pollard"/> The camp was built on a hill separated from the town proper with a small wall. The hill was located at the far end of the city's [[Great Colonnade]] from the [[Temple of Bel]]. The area was organized in cross [[colonnade]]s, the ''via praetoria'' and the ''via principalis'', that intersected in a ''[[tetrapylon]]''. The ''via praetoria'' axis started at the and lead to the top of the hill where the ''principia'', or the military headquarters, was built. Within the ''principia'', and located at the highest point in the complex was the "temple of the standards."<ref name="Millar"/> The complex also included barracks for the soldiers<ref name="Pollard">Pollard, 2000, p. 298.</ref> and enveloped the pre-existing "Temple of [[Al-lāt|Allat]]."<ref name="Millar">Millar, 1993, p. 182.</ref> |
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The camp dates to the [[Tetrarchy|Tetrarchic period]] after the reconquest of [[Palmyra]] by [[Aurelian]]. It was designed and built between 293 and 305 CE. An inscription discovered at the temple of the standards celebrates the completion of the complex by [[Diocletian]]. In addition to Diocletian, other people mentioned in the inscription include [[Maximian]] as ''[[praetor]]''; the two [[Caesar (title)|Caesars]] [[Constantius Chlorus]] and [[Galerius]]; and the ''[[praeses]]'', or governor, [[Sossianus Hierocles]].<ref name="Millar"/> |
The camp dates to the [[Tetrarchy|Tetrarchic period]] after the reconquest of [[Palmyra]] by [[Aurelian]]. It was designed and built between 293 and 305 CE. An inscription discovered at the temple of the standards celebrates the completion of the complex by [[Diocletian]]. In addition to Diocletian, other people mentioned in the inscription include [[Maximian]] as ''[[praetor]]''; the two [[Caesar (title)|Caesars]] [[Constantius Chlorus]] and [[Galerius]]; and the ''[[praeses]]'', or governor, [[Sossianus Hierocles]].<ref name="Millar"/> |
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The site has since been excavated by a Polish archaeological team that discovered several additions dating to the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine period]] |
The site has since been excavated by a Polish archaeological team that discovered several additions dating to the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine period]]<ref>Kennedy, 2006, p. 171.</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 15:24, 12 November 2012
 Remains of the Camp of Diocletian | |
  Shown within Syria | |
| Location | Palmyra, Syria |
|---|---|
| Type | Military camp |
| Area | 4 hectares (9.9 acres) |
| History | |
| Periods | Roman |
| Site notes | |
| Condition | ruins |
| Ownership | Public |
| Public access | Yes |
The Camp of Diocletian was a Roman military complex built in the ancient city of Palmyra in the Syrian Desert. The army camp was built by Roman Emperor Diocletian in the late third-century CE and served as the military headquarters for the Legio I Illyricorum.[1]
Overview
The military camp spanned an area of 4 hectares (9.9 acres) in an enclosure in the western end of the city.[1] The camp was built on a hill separated from the town proper with a small wall. The hill was located at the far end of the city's Great Colonnade from the Temple of Bel. The area was organized in cross colonnades, the via praetoria and the via principalis, that intersected in a tetrapylon. The via praetoria axis started at the Praetorian Gate and lead to the top of the hill where the principia, or the military headquarters, was built. Within the principia, and located at the highest point in the complex was the "temple of the standards."[2] The complex also included barracks for the soldiers[1] and enveloped the pre-existing "Temple of Allat."[2]
The camp dates to the Tetrarchic period after the reconquest of Palmyra by Aurelian. It was designed and built between 293 and 305 CE. An inscription discovered at the temple of the standards celebrates the completion of the complex by Diocletian. In addition to Diocletian, other people mentioned in the inscription include Maximian as praetor; the two Caesars Constantius Chlorus and Galerius; and the praeses, or governor, Sossianus Hierocles.[2]
The site has since been excavated by a Polish archaeological team from the University of Warsaw. The excavations, led by Dr. Kazimierz Michalowski, unearthed several structures believed to be guard rooms, staircases and side entrances to the compound. The works also determined that the via praetoria colonnade is a remnant of older structures and probably pre-dates the construction of the camp by a century. It also uncovered the layer of occupation preceding the camp which included a residential quarter and funerary artefacts, all dating to the first-century CE.[3] Furthermore, the excavations discovered several additions dating to the Byzantine period,[4] including a coin and jewelry hoard.[3]
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Kennedy, Hugh N. (2006). The Byzantine And Early Islamic Near East. Ashgate Publishing. ISBN 9780754659099.
- Millar, Fergus G. (1993). The Roman Near East: 31 BC – AD 337. Harvard University Press. ISBN 9780674778863.
- Pollard, Nigel (2000). Soldiers, Cities, & Civilians in Roman Syria. University of Michigan Press. ISBN 9780472111558.