Hachelbich (Roman camp) was a marching camp recently discovered in 2009 and located in Thuringia (actual Germany). The Roman castrum near Hachelbich dates from the 1st to 3rd century AD and it is the first Roman military camp to be found in central Magna Germania.[1]
History edit
The castrum was discovered in 2009. Excavations have taken place in the years 2010 and 2014-2015, demonstrating that it was built by the Romans. The wood discovered in the walls showed a construction period ranging from 50 BC to 125 AD: it was the time when Augustus wanted to annex to his Roman empire the short-lived province of Germania.
However some academics (like Jones Brian) believe the castrum was used (or re-used) by emperor Domitian. The most significant military contribution of this emperor was the development of the Limes Germanicus, which encompassed a vast network of roads, forts and watchtowers constructed along the Rhine river to defend the Empire. Around 82 AD, he ordered an attack on the Chatti.[2]
For this purpose, a new legion was founded, Legio I Minervia, which constructed some 75 kilometres (46 mi) of roads through Chatti territory in central Germania to uncover the enemy's hiding places inside Magna Germania[3]. In these years Domitian should have used the Hachelbich marching camp.
Although little information survives of the battles fought, enough early victories were apparently achieved for Domitian to be back in Rome by the end of 83 AD, where he celebrated an elaborate triumph and conferred upon himself the title of Germanicus.[4]
A pointed trench on the south side is found at 425 m. In the east, a rounded section of the same length follows a round corner. In the north-east is a geophysical prospected entrance with an upstream trench ("Titulum"). Eight ovens with a working pit complete the previously excavated structures. The system continues in the north and west in a similar way, so thereit is an irregular square with an enclosed space of at least 18 hectares. Among the still not very numerous finds, there are the non-metallic objects belonging to Roman equipment and four iron shackles.Mario Küßner[5]
In 2016 the archaeologists announced that they estimate the castrum size to be at least 23 hectares and probably 40 hectares[6].
The archaeologists estimate the castrum had the size needed for at least one Roman legion (with about 5,000 legionaries) together with auxiliary troops: a total of about 8,000 to 9,000 men could have used it.
Some objects belonging to the legionaries have been found in the excavations[7]. But they give no precise clue about the legion stationed or what emperor used the castrum: some researchers think that it could have been related to the third century Battle at the Harzhorn. Indeed Maximinus Thrax (the first Roman "soldier-emperor" who reigned briefly from 235 to 238 AD) was personally involved in operations against the Germanic tribes in the recently discovered battle site at Harzhorn and he raided the area around Hachelbich.
Notes edit
- ^ Hachelbich: Roms Legionen führten auch in Thüringen Krieg (in German)
- ^ Jones (1992), p. 128
- ^ Jones (1992), p. 130
- ^ Jones (1992), p. 129
- ^ Römische Truppen in Thüringen (Roman legions in Thuringia)
- ^ How big was the marching camp in Hachelbich? in: Thüringer Allgemeine, 2 February 2016
- ^ Photos of the Roman marching camp and of some objects found inside
Bibliography edit
- Jones, Brian W. (1992). The Emperor Domitian. London: Routledge ed. ISBN 0-415-10195-6.
- Mario Küßner, Tim Schüler: Truppen in Thüringen. Nordöstlichste römische Militäranlage entdeckt. In: Archäologie in Deutschland 3/2014, S. 6 (online).