Back Castra Vetera Catalan Vetera German Castra Vetera Spanish Castra Vetera Italian Castra Vetera Latin Castra Vetera Dutch Ветера Russian Castra Vetera Slovenian Vetera Castra Swedish
Vetera (also Vetera Castra; sometimes in older literature, on maps, and colloquially also Castra Vetera) was the name of the location of two successive Roman legionary camps in the province of Germania Inferior near present-day Xanten on the Lower Rhine. The legionary camps of Vetera were part of the Lower Germanic Limes and were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021.
Research and scholarly literature distinguish between the older fort site Vetera I (13/12 BCE[1] to 70 CE) and the younger fort site Vetera II (71 to at least the 3rd century). These sites were located approximately one Roman mile (mille passus = just under 1500 m) apart. Vetera was one of the most significant garrisons on the northern flank of the Roman Empire. In its early days, it was an essential deployment base for the Romans' expansion efforts on the right bank of the Rhine. Vetera I is currently situated on undeveloped land in the urban area of Xanten, while Vetera II is located up to ten metres below the surface of a quarry pond.[2][3]
- ^ As Tacitus reported that Vetera was built by Augustus, who was in Gaul from 16 BCE to 13 BCE, there has been a tendency to date the earliest camp to this period. However, the finds, especially the pottery stamps and terra sigillata types found, point to the time of the beginning of the Germanic offensive or shortly before. According to Michael Gechter: "Die Anfänge des Niedergermanischen Limes". In Bonner Jahrbücher. 179, 1979, pp. 106-110.
- ^ Böcking, Werner (2005). "Bagger und Taucher entdecken Vetera II". Die Römer am Niederrhein: Geschichte und Ausgrabungen (in German) (5. Aufl ed.). Essen: Klartext. pp. 147–159. ISBN 978-3-89861-427-6.
- ^ Schmitz, Dirk (2008). "Das Lager Vetera II und seine Legionen". In Müller, Martin; Schalles, Hans-Joachim; Zieling, Norbert (eds.). Colonia Ulpia Traiana: Xanten und sein Umland in römischer Zeit. Geschichte der Stadt Xanten (in German). Mayence: Verlag Philipp von Zabern. pp. 141–170. ISBN 978-3-8053-3953-7.