Establishing a New Order: The Orientation of Roman Towns Built in the Age of Augustus

González-García, A. C.; Rodríguez-Antón, A.; Espinosa-Espinosa, D.; García Quintela, M. V.; Belmonte, J. A.
Bibliographical reference

Archaeoastronomy in the Roman World, Historical & Cultural Astronomy, ISBN 978-3-319-97006-6. Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature, 2019, p. 85

Advertised on:
2019
Number of authors
5
IAC number of authors
2
Citations
0
Refereed citations
0
Description
Urbanism in most areas of Western Europe occurred at the time of the Roman Empire when several hundred new towns were founded, notably under Augustus. Those towns were planned to incorporate astronomical phenomena as images of propaganda of their rulers, or to connect the city to the gods. The visual effect of the Sun rising in line with the orientation of the city at a given moment in its yearly movement was thus sought and incorporated for its ritual meaning. Special moments allegedly related to Augustus were considered, in particular Winter Solstice and Autumn Equinox.