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 … Continue reading #9 SPQR in CCAA – How the Romans Ruled Ancient Cologne

How did young Roman Cologne function: Let’s take a look at Cologne’s long and high efficent waterline and massive stone wall. Being 95 kilometers/60 miles long, Roman Cologne’s was the longest waterline in Europe north of the Alpes. It would transport 20 Mio. Litres of water into that city every day. Cologne’s Roman city wall was so mighty that is was used for 1,100 years. … Continue reading #8 A Tale of Water and Stones – About Cologne’s Outstanding Infrastructure in Roman Times

The Batavian revolt in the Gallic-Germanic border region in 69 CE has a tight grip over Cologne and the region. The Roman rule is gone for the moment. This episode all these events of this conflict will unfold right in front of Cologne’s doorstep and soon, inside its city walls. Will Cologne prevail? Or will Cologne be crushed between the rebels and the Romans? For … Continue reading #7 The Batavian Revolt – Nero’s Death in Faraway Rome Has Serious Repercussions for Cologne

Listen to this podcast: Cologne is in turmoil in the Year of the Four Emperors in 69 CE. Agrippina is dead, so is now her son, emperor Nero. Who will become the new Roman emperor? Four men throw their hats into the ring. One of them is Vitellius, the Roman governor of Cologne. The consequences for Cologne as a border town are horrible. At the … Continue reading #6 Vitellius and Marsilius – Cologne’s Women Teach Roman Soldiers a Lesson they never forget

„Roman Empress Agrippina was a monster, a murderer, seductive and ruthless“ that has been the verdict about her since the day she died in 59 CE. Is that true? Born 15 CE in Oppidum Ubiorum, today’s Cologne, she will be the founder of ancient Cologne, promoting the young city like no other has ever before. Listen to this episode: Continue reading #5 Empress Agrippina the Younger – a real Cologne girl!

Listen to this episode: The Ubiermonument (Ubian Monument) The Ubier monument in Cologne is open on the first Thursday of the month – from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Adress An der Malzmühle 1 50676 Köln Continue reading #4 Oppidum Ubiorum or Cologne 1.0

Listen to this episode: Inside the Pantheon   The Rhineland around the years of 38-15 BCE. Caesar is dead. His adoptive son Augustus becomes the first Roman emperor. In his attemps to secure the eastern border of Gaul, that is adoptive father Caesar had conquered, he sends his best friend and son-in-law Agrippa. There, Agrippa comes up with a plan and by doing that he … Continue reading #3 Agrippa and the ugly Ubii

Listen to this episode: Gaul during Caesars campaign in the 50s BCE Continue reading #2 Caesar in the Rhineland – Cologne’s history begins with the Roman general

The Cologne Lowland from above     This episode we will talk about the time before there was a Cologne in the Rhineland. Just a big and fertile lowland, where half-nomadic people would live for many thousand years. Get to know how the climate is here and how it benefits Cologne’s geography. If you are not really into all of that, skip this and go … Continue reading #1 The Cologne Lowland – Stone Age and Prehistory