Mainz

An imperial Roman legion base and settlement in west-central Germany, a port on the left bank of the Rhine opposite Wiesbaden and the mouth of the Main River. It was the site of a Celtic settlement where the Romans established (14-9 BC) the military camp, known as Mogontiacum (Moguntiacum) after the Celtic god Mogo. A fort was built of timber, then renewed in stone somewhere between 50-100 AD. Between the fort and the river grew up a civilian settlement with a port, which, under Domitan, was to become capital of Germania Superior (Upper Germany). Surviving remains include a great column of the god Jupiter with reliefs of 28 deities, evidence for a Flavian aqueduct, portions of late Roman wall, and some civil and military cemeteries.

[Roman Mogontiacum]. An imperial Roman legionary base and civilian settlement on the west bank of the Rhine, at its confluence with the River Main. A fort was built of timber to house two legions, in the period 18-13 bc, and renewed in stone somewhere between 50 and 100 AD. Between the fort and the river grew up a civilian settlement with port, which, under Domitian, was to become capital of Germania Superior (Upper Germany). There has been only modest exploration of the fort area (although the extent of some 36 hectares is known) and the modern city of Mainz inhibits much work on the civilian evidence. Surviving remains include a great column of the god Jupiter, nine metres high and decorated with reliefs of 28 deities, evidence for a Flavian aqueduct, portions of late Roman wall, and some areas of civil and military cemeteries. The most important material has been collected together in the Mittelrheinisches Landesmuseum in Mainz.