Xanten

Roman legionary camp and civilian settlement on the Rhine near Wesel, Germany, and the confluence with the River Lippe. The Augustan-period camp had earth ramparts, palisades, timber buildings, a hospital and a quay, with some later stone construction. It was given colonia status by emperor Trajan and subsequently became the principal city of Lower Germany (Germania Inferior). A rectangular grid street system, town walls, gates, bath buildings, amphitheater, porticoed temple, artisans' quarters and housing have been uncovered.

[Roman Vetera Castra and Colonia Ulpia Traiana]. A Roman legionary camp (or rather successive camps) and a civilian settlement on the Rhine near Wesel and the confluence with the River Lupa (modem Lippe). Vetera I was designed for two legions, and probably predates 12 bc. This Augustan camp had earth ramparts, palisades, timber buildings, a hospital and a quay, with some later stone construction. There was an associated civilian settlement to the northwest. Both were badly damaged during the rebellion of the Batavai in 69-70 ad. Afterwards Vetera II was constructed of stone nearer to the Rhine, and intended for one legion only. The civilian settlement was rebuilt in the period 98-107, and given Colonia status by the emperor Trajan, becoming Colonia Ulpia Traiana. This subsequently became the principal city of Lower Germany (Germania Inferior). Evidence has been discovered for a rectangular grid street system, town walls, gates, bath buildings, an amphitheatre, porticoed temple, artisans’ quarters and housing.