In this episode, we get a brief overview of how the Romans ruled ancient Cologne. Chronologically, the episode is not firmly docked to a date. In the context of our podcast so far, however, it describes political Cologne at the end of the 1st century AD, several decades after Vitellius and the Batavian Revolt. The Roman rule is consolidated and the Romans finally acknowledge in 85 AD that they will not conquer the Rhine side on the right bank of the Rhine. A good time to take a closer look at the political system of ancient Cologne and its surroundings. Especially the city senate, the high government offices of the city and the governor will be examined more closely.

This fits well because in the next episode we will talk about the great Roman Trajan, who becomes governor of Cologne here in 98 AD. There he will be surprised to learn that he has become the new emperor. In contrast to Vitellius, however, in a completely legal way. But Trajan is, as already mentioned, the subject of the next episode. (next episode: 8th June)

Listen to this episode:

Cologne and the province of Lower Germania (highlighted in red, next to “Germania Magna”) Click to enlarge the map!

Emperor Domitian creates the province of Lower Germania between 85-90 with Cologne as its capital. Source: Jastrow (2006), Gemeinfrei, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1222636 Click to enlarge the picture!

The Praetorium

Theophanu – The History of Cologne

How did the young Byzantine princess Theophanu become the richest woman in Europe at only 12 years old at the end of the 10th century? And how did she become the most powerful woman in Europe at the age of 24, with far-reaching effects on European history? In this episode, we will look at her breathtaking life and, of course, at the end, what all this actually has to do with Cologne itself.

1. Theophanu 01:02:17
2. How Archbishop Bruno changed the face of Cologne forever – until today 01:00:57
3. Retrospective on Frankish Cologne 34:18
4. The Archduke of Cologne 46:17
5. From the Empire of the Franks to the Land of the Germans 53:30