Dive into the second half of the 5th century. This period marks the end of the Roman era of Cologne. The Roman Empire is declining in the west of Europe. Our beloved city of Cologne, however, did not. It continues to exist and will enter a new era. Crossing of the Rhine in 406 At the end of the year 406 it became cold in … Continue reading #22 The End of Roman Cologne

In this episode, we return to the realm of legends. This time we meet Ursula, a Breton princess. With her eleven or eleven thousand (!) virgin girlfriends, she is on her way back from a pilgrimage to Rome. This pilgrimage was supposed to be her bachelorette party for the strictly devout Christian princess from northwestern Gaul. On the way back home, she also passes Cologne … Continue reading #21 The Martyrdom of St. Ursula – The Saga of St. Ursula and its Backgrounds

Dive with me into the time of the “Migration Period.” The time from 375 to about 570, because not only in the Far East of the Roman Empire people are experiencing the effects of this time. Our Cologne on the Rhine will also soon realize that significant upheavals are about to take place. But until now, Cologne is still a safe place. Time to look … Continue reading #20 Saint Severin of Cologne – a new faith spreads in Cologne

The short Frankish rule over the Roman colony of Cologne ended after only one year in 356. We want to look as far as possible from the sources to see how late antique Cologne developed at the end of the 4th century. Many are tempted to see the end of Roman rule in late antiquity, both in general and regionally, as a stringent downward spiral … Continue reading #19 All Quiet on the Western Front – Roman Cologne in Late Antiquity

The Franks conquered Cologne in 355 – How will Rome react? Cologne, in the beginning of the year 356 The Franks plundered and conquered Cologne. Thus, the northern border of the Roman Empire is open wide for the Germanic enemies. How did it come about that the city could be conquered at all, although it had such mighty stone walls. And how did the Roman … Continue reading #18 A Frankish Intermezzo – Is Cologne now a Frankish or still a Roman city?

In the year 355 Cologne is again on the world stage of history. Invasions of the Germanic tribes like the Alemanni and Franks shake the region, with Cologne as a Roman island in the midst of chaos. Rome’s power once again seems to wobble on the Rhine. If that were not enough, another usurper with the name of Silvanus (not related to the other Silvanus … Continue reading #17 The Fateful Year 355 AD – Cologne’s darkest hour to date

Divitia / Castrum Divitium / Fort Deutz Little bronze replica model of Fort Deutz at the historical place where the fort once stood. How does the place where the Fort was look nowadays? Cologne during Constantine the Great ca. 315 AD I tried to make a Map that shows where Roman Cologne would be in modern day Cologne. Notice how many streets still exist today. … Continue reading #16 Constantine and the birth of Deutz

In this episode, we again leave the strict chronological narrative. We take a look at religion in ancient Cologne in Roman times. But here we have to speak in the plural. For not only is the Roman state religion predominant here, but a local cult of the Ubians is also extremely popular in the Colonia, dethroning even gods like Jupiter and Juno in terms of … Continue reading #15 The Religions in Roman Cologne – About Mother Deities, Menorah and Jupiter

At the height of the Crisis of the Third Century, the Gallic Empire (260-274) emerges. An empire separated from the actual Roman Empire but still with all Roman characteristics. Except with having the city of Rome in it. With territories of all of Gaul, Spain, half of Germany and the Roman province of Britain, it takes one third of the Roman Empire away. And guess … Continue reading #14 The Emperor Postumus of Cologne – The City on the Rhine Becomes the Capital of a Rebellious Empire

Timetable of the events that lead to the Crisis of the 3rd Century 161: Roman legion from Bonn near Cologne marches to the east of the empire to fight the Persians. 166: When the war is won and the legion returns to the Rhineland, the Antonine Plague is brought with them. Many people died. It is estimated that 10% of the population died. Many Italian … Continue reading #13 The Crisis of the Third Century – Cologne’s Golden Age in Antiquity Draws to a Close