Aequum was a Roman colony located near modern-day Čitluk, a village near Sinj, Croatia. It was founded by the emperor Claudius sometime after AD 45 and settled with the veterans of Legio VII Claudia Pia Fidelis.
Location
The valley of the middle part of the
Cetina river and its surrounding area, known as the District of Cetina, represent the backbone of the entire area and separate geographical region of mountainous Dalmatian hinterland. Its stream flows through dry
karst fields covered by sub-Mediterranean vegetation where many archaeological remains are preserved. Modern day Čitluk is situated near the town Sinj at the edge of the Cetina valley.
History and significance
During the Roman administration in the mid-first century AD, Aequum reached the status of an agrarian Roman colony after it was settled by the veterans of Legio VII Claudia Pia Fidelis during the rule of emperor Claudius (41–45 AD). The colonia was founded by
Claudius and named
colonia Claudia Aequum; it was the only colony in the interior of the province of Dalmatia.
Aequum was a planned city of enclosed by walls with features of classic forms of ancient urbanism (urbs quadrata).
The Site
The area is not fully explored. The remains of a forum with a capitol, towers of the fortification complex of the eastern city gate, thermal baths and parts of cult buildings and the remains of the monumental fortification complex of the southern city gate were discovered.
Fragments of the statue of Hercules and the statue of
Hecate (
Diana Lucifera) are of exceptional value
and are preserved in the archaeological collection of the Franciscan Monastery at Sinj.
Notable persons
Sextus Julius Severus was a member of one of the most notable families in Roman Dalmatia. He served as governor of
Moesia and was appointed governor of
Roman Britain in 131. According to
Cassius Dio, Severus was
Hadrian best general. In 135 AD, he suppressed the Jewish rebellion (Bar Kokhba revolt) in Judaea, the event that marked the beginning of the
Jewish diaspora.
Further reading
