Aquileia was founded by the Romans in 181 BC. More than 3,000 families were chosen to populate the new town. The founding was organised by a committee of three officials (triumviri):
* Publius Cornelius Scipio Nasica (consul 191 BC)
* Gajus Flaminius (consul 187 BC)
* Lucius Manlius Acidinus (Fulvianus) (consul 179 BC)
This event is recorded by the Roman historian Titus Livius (known in English as Livy):
"In the same year [181 BC] the Latin settlement of Aquileia in the territory of the Gallic people was deducted. Three thousand infantrymen obtained 50 jugera each, the centurions gained 100 jugera and the knights 140. The triumvirs Publius Cornelius Scipio Nasica, Gajus Flaminius, and Lucius Manlius Acidinus deducted the settlement."
[Ab Urbe Condita, 40.34.2-4]
A few years later, in 169 BC, Aquileia was given additional support, when 1,500 families were chosen to populate the town. The re-founding of the town was organised by another committee of three officials (triumviri):
* Titus Annius Luscus
* Publius Decius Subolo
* Marcus Cornelius Cethegus
This event is also recorded by Livius:
"In that year [169 BC] upon the request of the delegation from Aquileia to increase the number of settlers and upon the order of the senate 1,500 families were placed on the list and the triumvirs in charge of their settlement were Titus Annius Luscus, Publius Decius Subolo, and Marcus Cornelius Cethegus."
[Ab Urbe Condita, 43.17.1]
The following sites you can visit for free:
** The Roman Forum - foro romano
** The Roman Road - Decumanus of Aratria Galla
** The Roman River Port - porto fluviale romano
** Fondo CAL
** Fondo Cossar
** Fondo Pasqualis
** The Grand Mausoleum - mausoleo
** The Roman Burial Ground - sepolcreto
** The Permanent Exhibition about Ancient Aquileia - mostra
Not everything is free in Aquileia:
You can enter the Cathedral (Basilica) for free, but you have to pay to visit the Crypt of the Frescoes and the Crypt of the Excavations. A combined ticket is 3.00 Euro.
You can enter the Baptistery for free, but you have to pay to visit the South Hall (Südhalle). The price of a ticket is 2.00 Euro.
If you wish to visit the Bell Tower (campanile) of the Cathedral, you must pay. A ticket is 2.00 Euro.
You also have to pay to visit the Archaeological Museum (museo archaeologico). The price of a ticket is 4.00 Euro.
The Early Christian Museum (museo paleocristiano) was closed for renovation while we stayed in the town, but it was possible to visit the place anyway when we contacted the office of the Archaeological Museum and made a special appointment. There was no charge for this. We were told the Early Christian Museum is going to open again later in 2013. As far as I know, you will not have to pay to enter this museum.
Please note: some ancient sites in Aquileia were located by archaeologists, but they were covered up again to protect the remains, and therefore they are not visible today. For instance the following monuments built for entertainment:
* The circus or hippodrome - in the northwest
* The amphitheatre - in the southwest
* The theatre - located between them
Here is some practical information about Aquileia:
The tourist information office is located on Via Giulia Augusta, next to the car park, by Via della Stazione. A supermarket is located on Via Giulia Augusta, opposite the tourist office, next to the Grand Mausoleum. Another supermarket is located in Piazza Garibaldi, in the southern end of town. There is a self-service laundry shop on Via Ugo Pellis, in the northern end of town.
The Tourist Information Office
Trattoria Albergo Alla Basilica
There are only three hotels in the town: Hotel Ristorante Patriarchi, Hotel Ristorante Aquila Nera, and Trattoria Albergo alla Basilica. There is also a camping site - Camping Aquileia - on Via Gemina in the northern end of town, not far from the Roman River Port. You can bring your own tent or caravan. If you do not have a tent or a caravan, you can rent a trailer on the site.
The Permanent Exhibition about Ancient Aquileia
The Permanent Exhibition about Ancient Aquileia (mostra) is on display in a small building on Via Giulia Augusta, opposite the tourist office. The exhibition is interesting. In the shop you can buy a number of books and other souvenirs about Aquileia. They also sell a large map of the ancient town and a book which contains the text of the tables of the exhibition: Aquileia: Crossroad of the Roman Empire: economy, society, art (80 pages with text + 16 pages with colour illustrations).
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