heritage : Narbonne, twice daughter of Rome
| Narbo, the ancient capital of the Narbonnese province, contains two important vestiges of its Roman past: the Horreum, and a section of the Via Domitia, uncovered in 1997, which sums up the history of the Roman Empire from its apogee to its demise. A journey through time with Raymond Sabrié. |
• Who is Raymond Sabrié?
Raymond Sabrié is a member of a national archaeological research team and president of the Narbonne Archaeological Research Group (GRAN), which he founded with his late wife.
• Where is the Roman city located?
• What’s left from the urbanization vestiges of these times?
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Domitian way : 21 centuries of history under its pavement |
Raymond Sabrié is quite clear. The road traced by Domitius and taken by the Caesars still exists 1,50 metres underneath the paving stones which were uncovered in 1997. 1,50 m of dust covers four hundred and forty years of history; from Augustus’ visit to Narbonne in 27 B.C., to the arrival of Galla Placidia in 413 A.D.
Dated from the end of the 4th century, the stones, which can be seen today, paved the way - and perhaps the destiny, of the last Roman Empress of the West, who was fated to experience, in the flesh, the decline of the Roman Empire. Galla Placidia (390-450), was the daughter of Theodosius I, who had adopted Christianity and divided the Empire between East and West. She became part of Alaric’s booty after he sacked Rome (410).
It was in Narbonne, at the beginning of the year 414, that the Visigoth Athaulf, the new lord of the city, took this imperial hostage as his wife. Following his death, she was forced into marriage with Constantius. The devout Galla Placidia reigned at his side and then continued to reign in the name of their son, Valentinian III.
