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

Roman Harbour Street Decumanus Maximus / Schildergasse Continue reading #12 A Tour through Roman Cologne’s Golden Era – part 2

In this episode we leave the chronological path of our narrative. We are going to visit a Roman Cologne that might have been just like this. Between the year 100-250 CE. This timespan of 150 years was the golden age of Roman Cologne. CLICK TO ENLARGE PICTURES! Road to ancient Cologne Tomb of Poblicius Due to the Corona outbreak and the closure of all museums … Continue reading #11 A Tour through Roman Cologne’s Golden Era – part 1

VIP visit to our city on the Rhine. The heir to the throne Marcus Ulpius Traianus visits Cologne in the years 97/98. What he does not know, he will find out here that he is the new emperor. And this helps Cologne to an unprecedented upswing. For a few months Cologne becomes the residence city of the Roman Empire. With Trajan, a golden age for … Continue reading #10 Roman Emperor Trajan visits Cologne

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