Novaesium
Novaesium was a Roman military stronghold and town located on the left bank of the Rhine River in Lower Germany, north of modern-day Cologne. Established around 12 BC by the troops of Emperor Augustus, it served as a key legionary fortress during military campaigns across the Rhine. The fortifications were expanded significantly after the Roman defeat in the Teutoburg Forest, accommodating multiple legions during the early first century. Novaesium's history is marked by significant events, including a notable disgrace during the Gallo-German revolt in 69 AD, when its garrison pledged allegiance to the Gallic Empire and assassinated the governor of Upper Germany.
Despite being burned down during the revolt, Novaesium was rebuilt and continued to serve military purposes until the early second century, transitioning to a civilian settlement in subsequent years. The town faced destruction again due to a German incursion in 350 AD but was refortified by the Roman general Julian in 359 AD. By the end of the Roman Empire, Novaesium was under Frankish control and known as Niusa. Today, much of the ancient settlement lies beneath the modern city of Neuss, reflecting a rich history of military significance and urban development over the centuries.
Novaesium
(Neuss)
A Roman stronghold and town on the left bank of the river Rhenus (Rhine) in Lower Germany, north of Colonia Agrippinensis (Köln, Cologne). The troops of Augustus established a military fort, and almost certainly a legionary fortress, c 12 BC, at the outset of his generals' campaigns across the river. After the defeat and death of Varus in the Teutoburg Forest (9 BC), and during the campaigns conducted by Germanicus (AD 14–17), the camp was enlarged to accommodate more than one legion.
The garrison fell into deep disgrace during the Gallo-German revolt led by Civilis (69), when it took an oath of allegiance to the `empire of the Gauls’ and murdered the governor of Upper Germany, Hordeonius Flaccus; moreover, not long afterward a Roman deserter sent by Civilis assassinated the legionary commander Dillius Vocula, likewise at Novaesium. Burned down in the course of the revolt, it was rebuilt and again housed a legion until after 104, and then possessed a garrison of auxiliary troops in the second and third centuries, while a civilian settlement grew up on the outskirts. The city was destroyed by a German incursion under Constantius II (350), but his commander-in-chief in the west, Julian (the Apostate), refortified it in 359 as a major granary and store-house for provisions. Novaesium is mentioned for the last time in 388. At the end of the empire it came into the hands of the Franks, under the name Niusa.
Nearly a dozen successive phases of the construction of the camp have been identified, starting from buildings and walls of wood and earth and continuing with the enlarged base after AD 69, in which a forum, commander's residence, billets for officers and other ranks, and colonnaded streets were surrounded by stone ramparts. Part of the civilian settlement lies under the modern Neuss.