Aquis Segeste

Sceaux-du-Gâtinais, France

Aquis Segeste, a 25-hectare Roman spa town, was located near the Loing River, between the territories of the Sénons and Carnutes. Its occupation predates the Roman conquest, but it flourished under the Flavian dynasty (69-96 AD) and reached its peak in the 2nd century. After 275 AD, it declined and was either destroyed or abandoned in the 4th century.

Rediscovered in the 19th century, it was initially mistaken for Vellaunodunum. In 1917, Jacques Soyer correctly identified it using the Tabula Peutingeriana. Major excavations took place between 1963 and 2005, uncovering a sanctuary, baths, a theater, and a city organized around a sacred spring.

Classified as a historical monument in 1986, it remains an important archaeological site.

Address

Sceaux-du-Gâtinais, France

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Details

Founded: 1st century AD
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in France
Historical period: Roman Gaul (France)

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

jenjen (8 months ago)
Very interesting to see. A listening guide. A treasure hunt and more. To do. Free site

Alun Matou (10 months ago)
Very interesting and great guide!

Elsa JEANDEL (2 years ago)
Fascinating and above all thanks to the cultural mediator who knows how to transmit her passion through her knowledge! This visit is informative and makes you want to come back when the museum is built and opened.

Martine Vendeville-Poulain (3 years ago)
Too bad for us but the site was closed, apparently still being discovered and a museum will be planned, so we will return there in a few months because it looks promising

Raphael Morin (4 years ago)
Great archaeological site to visit! the visit to the site is free or guided on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (July/August). Entrance is also free! A coloring workshop is planned for the youngest.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Andy Hay

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Argos Theater

The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.