The roman town
The ancient town of Herdonia lies on three small hills.
The first settlement belongs to the neolithic period and traces of huts can be dated to the Bronze Age.
In the Iron Age and in the Arcaic period the area was occupied by a large settlement belonging to the Daunian culture characterized by groups of huts and cemeteries.
The urban development dates back to the III century B.C. with the creation of the first town walls built with an earthwork (enclosing an area of 20 hectars) and of the first forum square with shops.
At the beginning of the I century B.C. the wall was re-built in opus caementicium.
Herdonia was heavily damaged during the war against Annibal in 210 B.C..
After the roman Civil War (89 B.C:) Herdonia gained the status of municipium and was assigned to the Papiria tribur, then various public monuments were built.
The maximum growth level was reached under the emperor Traianus with the construction of the via Traiana, the new layout of the forum square and of the thermae quarter, the building of rich private domus.
A dismantling process started with a heavy earthquake in 346 A.D., even though the town mantained a certain importance proved by the presence of a bishop at the beginning of the VI century A. D..
In the Early Middle Ages the old roman town was reduced to a small village.
A new settlement started in the XI century with the construction of a church (later transformed in a small castle) on the northern hill.
The area of the ancient roman town was, definitively deserted in the XV century and a new village was built in the XVII century not far away establishing the first nucleus of the present town of Ordona (FG).
The ancient town of Herdonia lies on three small hills.
The first settlement belongs to the neolithic period and traces of huts can be dated to the Bronze Age.
In the Iron Age and in the Arcaic period the area was occupied by a large settlement belonging to the Daunian culture characterized by groups of huts and cemeteries.
The urban development dates back to the III century B.C. with the creation of the first town walls built with an earthwork (enclosing an area of 20 hectars) and of the first forum square with shops.
At the beginning of the I century B.C. the wall was re-built in opus caementicium.
Herdonia was heavily damaged during the war against Annibal in 210 B.C..
After the roman Civil War (89 B.C:) Herdonia gained the status of municipium and was assigned to the Papiria tribur, then various public monuments were built.
The maximum growth level was reached under the emperor Traianus with the construction of the via Traiana, the new layout of the forum square and of the thermae quarter, the building of rich private domus.
A dismantling process started with a heavy earthquake in 346 A.D., even though the town mantained a certain importance proved by the presence of a bishop at the beginning of the VI century A. D..
In the Early Middle Ages the old roman town was reduced to a small village.
A new settlement started in the XI century with the construction of a church (later transformed in a small castle) on the northern hill.
The area of the ancient roman town was, definitively deserted in the XV century and a new village was built in the XVII century not far away establishing the first nucleus of the present town of Ordona (FG).
Amphitheatre
Built close to the city walls in the I century B.C. and renewed in the II century AD.
Built close to the city walls in the I century B.C. and renewed in the II century AD.
Private domus
Two private domus, adorned with mosaic floor, were brought to light in the area between the amphitheatre and the Palestra.
Two private domus, adorned with mosaic floor, were brought to light in the area between the amphitheatre and the Palestra.
Campus-gymnasium
Close to the city walls there is a large enclosure for games and contests. In this campus there was also a mausoleum (50-25 B.C.) for the grave of an important person regarded as an hero.
Close to the city walls there is a large enclosure for games and contests. In this campus there was also a mausoleum (50-25 B.C.) for the grave of an important person regarded as an hero.
The Via Traiana
Was built in 109 A.D. by Emperor Traianus and passed through Herdonia with a right angle near the forum square.
Was built in 109 A.D. by Emperor Traianus and passed through Herdonia with a right angle near the forum square.
The forum square shops
On the long sides of the square there were the artisan shops for various kind of trade.
On the long sides of the square there were the artisan shops for various kind of trade.
Nymphaeum
A monumental fountain was built in the corner of the forum square close to the right angle of the Via Traiana.
A monumental fountain was built in the corner of the forum square close to the right angle of the Via Traiana.
The"Palestra"
A large building known as a palestra, built on the east side of the forum square, was characterized by a large columnate courtyard.
A large building known as a palestra, built on the east side of the forum square, was characterized by a large columnate courtyard.
Basilica
The civil Basilica, built along the side of the forum square, was one of the most important places of the roman town. It was a large building with 20 columns with capitals in Ionic style. The Basilica contained also the Tribunal and the Aerarium.
The civil Basilica, built along the side of the forum square, was one of the most important places of the roman town. It was a large building with 20 columns with capitals in Ionic style. The Basilica contained also the Tribunal and the Aerarium.
Italic Temple
The so called Temple B lied on the side of the forum square and was the most ancient cult place in Herdonia. It was built on a high podium.
The so called Temple B lied on the side of the forum square and was the most ancient cult place in Herdonia. It was built on a high podium.
Forum Square
The forum square underwent various transformations and had its definitive layout between the age of Emperor Traianus and the III century A.D..On the sides of the square there were the artisan shops, the Basilica, the Macellum and two temples
The forum square underwent various transformations and had its definitive layout between the age of Emperor Traianus and the III century A.D..On the sides of the square there were the artisan shops, the Basilica, the Macellum and two temples
Macellum
On the south corner of the forum square there was the town market for foodstuff trade. The shops were adorned with wail paintings and provider with a well built drainage system. This macellum was built in the II century A.D. Inscriptions around the forum square there were various statue basements with inscriptions in honour of emperors and eminent and well-deserving citizens.
On the south corner of the forum square there was the town market for foodstuff trade. The shops were adorned with wail paintings and provider with a well built drainage system. This macellum was built in the II century A.D. Inscriptions around the forum square there were various statue basements with inscriptions in honour of emperors and eminent and well-deserving citizens.
Thermae
A large thermae building lies along the Via Traiana. The Thermae were one of the most important places in the city life. The building was set up in the age of emperor Traianus and underwent to repair work after a destructive earthquake in 346 AD.. The Themae were definitively abandoned after the half of the V century A.D.
A large thermae building lies along the Via Traiana. The Thermae were one of the most important places in the city life. The building was set up in the age of emperor Traianus and underwent to repair work after a destructive earthquake in 346 AD.. The Themae were definitively abandoned after the half of the V century A.D.
The Church and the Castle
In the Middle Age, the nucleus of a new settlement was established on the northern corner of the town. The first building was a church (XI century A.D.) which was later (XII century) transformed in a small castle (castrum) probably used by emperor Frederik II. Between XII and XIV century a village of common houses occupied the area between the castrum and the amphitheatre.
In the Middle Age, the nucleus of a new settlement was established on the northern corner of the town. The first building was a church (XI century A.D.) which was later (XII century) transformed in a small castle (castrum) probably used by emperor Frederik II. Between XII and XIV century a village of common houses occupied the area between the castrum and the amphitheatre.
