|
Introduction The forum Houses and workshops Baths and water supply Gallo-Roman temples |
The precinct of temple II The mithraeum The amphitheatre Christianity Burials |
The Gallo-Roman Temple II was located in the northern part of a precinct created by an enclosing wall (F). The precinct was 85 m. wide and at least 136 m. deep. It was built in the middle of the first century. The buildings in the south part have been interpreted as a mansio, an inn and resting place for official visitors. Perhaps it was also a mutatio, a place for changing horses, and used by the cursus publicus, the system the state used for the transport of messages, goods and people. The complex was excavated for the most part in the 1970's and 1980's.
Plan of the precinct of Temple II. In grey: pre-Roman structures. Leveau-Wiblé 2014, fig. 1.
A: Temple II; B: platform; C: base of altar; D: courtyard; E: porticoes; F: enclosing wall; G: double porticus;
Ga: main house (?); H: horrea; K-U: baths and reception rooms; Y: collapsed plaster; Z: stone foundation.At the south end of the precinct was a double porticus (G), excavated already in 1908. The columns (diam. 0.45 m.) were made of round tiles and tufa. They rested on tufa bases (0.60 x 0.60 m.). On the southern side, along a road, the columns were 2.85 m. apart. Those on the northern side, of the inner porticus, stood a bit closer to each other, but at irregular distances. In the south-west corner may have been lodging rooms (Ga). Rooms set against the east side of the enclosing wall have been interpreted as part of a warehouse (horrea; H). The roof was supported by wooden piers set in tufa blocks.
The double porticus in 1908. Photo: Leveau-Wiblé 2014, fig. 2.In the centre of the precinct was a row of rooms facing south. Rooms M (6.25 x 3.40 m.) and N have been called reception rooms. Both rooms had a raised floor for heating and were decorated with wall paintings. In the south wall of room M were two semicircular wall niches. The paintings below the niches imitated marble. Higher up the paintings had a white background. In a small panel a lion between trees was depicted.
Paintings imitating marble on the south wall of room M. Photo: Wiblé 2008, fig. 74.
Painting of a lion between trees from the south wall of room M. Photo: Wiblé 2008, fig. 75.To the east of the reception rooms were bathing rooms. The air was heated in room L with a praefurnium. Room O was a caldarium, together with basin K, which was decorated with slabs of limestone and marble. Rooms P1 and P2 were tepidaria, or a tepidarium and a laconicum. Room Q was a frigidarium, together with the round and square basins R and S.
Room L and basin K in 1983. Photo: Leveau-Wiblé 2014, fig. 11.Near the baths and in the warehouse fragments of paintings were found with graffiti, including the Latin and Greek alphabet and drawings of animals.
Graffiti found near the baths, with the head of a bull or cow. Sylvestre et al. 2010, fig. 17.
Introduction
The forum
Houses and workshops
Baths and water supply
Gallo-Roman templesThe precinct of temple II
The mithraeum
The amphitheatre
Christianity
Burials
[31-Jan-2024]
