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A Roman (plural ) was originally a
Roman Roman or Romans most often refers to: * Rome, the capital city of Italy * Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *''Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lett ...
outpost established in conquered territory to secure it. Eventually, however, the term came to denote the highest status of a Roman city. It is also the origin of the modern term ''
colony In modern parlance, a colony is a territory subject to a form of foreign rule. Though dominated by the foreign colonizers, colonies remain separate from the administration of the original country of the colonizers, the '' metropolitan state' ...
''.


Characteristics

Under the
Roman Republic The Roman Republic ( la, Res publica Romana ) was a form of government of Rome and the era of the classical Roman civilization when it was run through public representation of the Roman people. Beginning with the overthrow of the Roman Ki ...
, which had no standing army, bodies of their own citizens were planted in conquered towns as a kind of garrison. There were two types: * Roman colonies, ''coloniae civium Romanorum'' or ''coloniae maritimae'', as they were often built near the sea, e.g. Ostia (350 BC) and Rimini (268 BC). The colonists consisted of about three hundred Roman families and were given a small plot of land so were probably small business owners. * Latin colonies (''coloniae Latinae'') were considerably larger than Roman colonies. They were military strongholds near or in enemy territory. The colonists were given large estates up to 35 hectares. They lost their citizenship which they could regain if they returned to Rome. After 133 BC tribunes introduced reforms to support the urban poor to become farmers again in new colonies as agricultural settlements (e.g.
Tarentum Tarentum may refer to: * Taranto, Apulia, Italy, on the site of the ancient Roman city of Tarentum (formerly the Greek colony of Taras) **See also History of Taranto * Tarentum (Campus Martius), also Terentum, an area in or on the edge of the Camp ...
in 122 BC). Under Caesar and
Augustus Caesar Augustus (born Gaius Octavius; 23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14), also known as Octavian, was the first Roman emperor; he reigned from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. He is known for being the founder of the Roman Pr ...
thousands of
Roman legionary The Roman legionary (in Latin ''legionarius'', plural ''legionarii'') was a professional heavy infantryman of the Roman army after the Marian reforms. These soldiers would conquer and defend the territories of ancient Rome during the late Repub ...
veterans were granted lands in many ''coloniae'' in the empire and were responsible for the
Romanization Romanization or romanisation, in linguistics, is the conversion of text from a different writing system to the Roman (Latin) script, or a system for doing so. Methods of romanization include transliteration, for representing written text, a ...
of many territories (mainly in the spread of
Latin language Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of ...
and of Roman laws and customs).


History

According to
Livy Titus Livius (; 59 BC – AD 17), known in English as Livy ( ), was a Roman historian. He wrote a monumental history of Rome and the Roman people, titled , covering the period from the earliest legends of Rome before the traditional founding in ...
, Rome's first colonies were established in about 752 BC at Antemnae and Crustumerium, both in
Latium Latium ( , ; ) is the region of central western Italy in which the city of Rome was founded and grew to be the capital city of the Roman Empire. Definition Latium was originally a small triangle of fertile, volcanic soil ( Old Latium) on w ...
. Other early colonies were established at Signia in the 6th century BC,
Velitrae Velletri (; la, Velitrae; xvo, Velester) is an Italian '' comune'' in the Metropolitan City of Rome, approximately 40 km to the southeast of the city centre, located in the Alban Hills, in the region of Lazio, central Italy. Neighbouring com ...
and Norba in the 5th century BC, and Ostia, Antium, and
Tarracina Terracina is an Italian city and '' comune'' of the province of Latina, located on the coast southeast of Rome on the Via Appia ( by rail). The site has been continuously occupied since antiquity. History Ancient times Terracina appears in a ...
in the late 4th century. In this first period of colonization, which lasted down to the end of the Punic Wars, colonies were primarily military in purpose, being intended to defend Roman territory. There were colonies of citizens and colonies of Latins, which differed in size, constitution, and region. Colonies of citizens were typically coastal and known as ''coloniae maritimae''. These were small (three hundred families), close to Rome, and enjoyed no civic life of their own. Sherwin-White suggested that they were similar to the
Athenian Athens ( ; el, Αθήνα, Athína ; grc, Ἀθῆναι, Athênai (pl.) ) is both the capital and largest city of Greece. With a population close to four million, it is also the seventh largest city in the European Union. Athens dominates a ...
cleruchy. The Latin colonies (''coloniae juris latini''), on the other hand, were much larger and populated by Latins, as well as by Romans who, however, did not retain Roman citizenship. The first Latin colonies were initially founded by the Latin league. During the Late Republic, prominent figures such as the tribune Gaius Gracchus proposed to settle Rome's landless citizens in colonies of recently conquered provinces. This concept, though popular and frequently reiterated by Roman contemporaries, failed to gain traction. Large scale settlement of landless Roman citizens in provinces would never really occur in the Roman Empire.


Under the Kingdom

*BC 752 at Antemnae and Crustumerium, both in Latium. *BC 745 (or 737) Fidenae became a Roman colony *BC 737 Cameria


Under the Republic

*BC 396
Veii Veii (also Veius; it, Veio) was an important ancient Etruscan civilization, Etruscan city situated on the southern limits of Etruria and north-northwest of Rome, Italy. It now lies in Isola Farnese, in the Comuni of the Province of Rome, comune ...
and Fidenae defeated. 4 new tribus
lection district A lection, also called the lesson, is a reading from scripture in liturgy. In many Christian denominations, the readings of the day are appointed in the lectionary. History The custom of reading the books of Moses in the synagogues on Sabbath ...
organised (Stellatina, Tromentana, Sabatina, Arniensis) *BC 385 Satricum (lost and burned in BC 346) *BC 354–349
Tibur Tivoli ( , ; la, Tibur) is a town and in Lazio, central Italy, north-east of Rome, at the falls of the Aniene river where it issues from the Sabine hills. The city offers a wide view over the Roman Campagna. History Gaius Julius Solin ...
, Praeneste, Caere(
Latium Latium ( , ; ) is the region of central western Italy in which the city of Rome was founded and grew to be the capital city of the Roman Empire. Definition Latium was originally a small triangle of fertile, volcanic soil ( Old Latium) on w ...
) alliance agreement *BC 332 (or after): Sutrium, Nepete (Latium), *BC 338 Ostia colony and port New bilateral defence contracts with Falerii, Tarquinii (Etruria) Caere (again), Pomptina and Poplilia tribus (tribes) formed in territories of Antium *BC 338 Capua inhabitants got Roman civil rights *BC 335
Cales Cales was an ancient city of Campania, in today's '' comune'' of Calvi Risorta in southern Italy, belonging originally to the Aurunci/Ausoni, on the Via Latina. The Romans captured it in 335 BC and established a colony with Latin rights of 2,5 ...
(Latium) *BC 332 (two new voting tribus established): Scaptia, Maecia *BC 329 Anxur (Latium) *BC 318 Falerna tribus established, Cales made contract with Rome again *BC 318 Canusium (Apulia) New Roman municipiums made from small towns around Rome: Aricia, Lanuvium, Nomentum, Pedum, Tusculum. Latin ius contracts made with
Tibur Tivoli ( , ; la, Tibur) is a town and in Lazio, central Italy, north-east of Rome, at the falls of the Aniene river where it issues from the Sabine hills. The city offers a wide view over the Roman Campagna. History Gaius Julius Solin ...
, Praeneste,
Lavinium Lavinium was a port city of Latium, to the south of Rome, midway between the Tiber river at Ostia and Antium. The coastline then, as now, was a long strip of beach. Lavinium was on a hill at the southernmost edge of the ''Silva Laurentina'', ...
,
Cora Cora may refer to: Science * ''Cora'' (fungus), a genus of lichens * ''Cora'' (damselfly), a genus of damselflies * CorA metal ion transporter, a Mg2+ influx system People * Cora (name), a given name and surname * Cora E. (born 1968), German h ...
(Latium) Ius comercii contracts made with Circei, Notba, Setia, Signia, Nepi, Ardea, Gabii Ius migrationi and ius connubii Ufentina tribus established (on territories of Volscus city Antium), Privernum,
Velitrae Velletri (; la, Velitrae; xvo, Velester) is an Italian '' comune'' in the Metropolitan City of Rome, approximately 40 km to the southeast of the city centre, located in the Alban Hills, in the region of Lazio, central Italy. Neighbouring com ...
, Terracia,
Fondi Fondi ( la, Fundi; Southern Laziale: ''Fùnn'') is a city and '' comune'' in the province of Latina, Lazio, central Italy, halfway between Rome and Naples. As of 2017, the city had a population of 39,800. The city has experienced steady popu ...
and Fotmiae made contract with Rome (cives sine suffragio) *BC 303 Alba Fucens, Carsioli (Latium) *BC 313
Suessula Suessula (Greek: ) was an ancient city of Campania, southern Italy, situated in the interior of the peninsula, near the frontier with Samnium, between Capua and Nola, and about 7 km northeast of Acerrae, Suessula is now a vanished city an ...
, Saticula (Campania) *BC 315 Luceria (Apulia) *BC 303 Sora (Latium) *BC 299 Nequinum (Narnia/
Narni Narni (in Latin, Narnia) is an ancient hilltown and '' comune'' of Umbria, in central Italy, with 19,252 inhabitants (2017). At an altitude of 240 m (787 ft), it overhangs a narrow gorge of the Nera River in the province of Tern ...
in Etruria and Umbria) was a keypoint fortress against the Samnis tribes *BC 296 Minturnae (Latium) *BC 291 Venusia (Apulia) colonia (20,000 male inhabitants) to control the Samnis tribes *BC 290 Pinceum besieged and occupied, soon became a Roman colony *BC 290(?) Hatri (Atria) by Adriatic sea (Abruzzo) *BC 269 Castrum Novum Picenii in BC 286), BC 264(?) Picenum colonies (Abruzzo) *BC 289 (or in BC 283) Sena Gallica (Umbria) *BC 273 Paestum (Latium) *BC 273 Cosa (Etruria) *BC 268 Beneventum (Samnium) *BC 268
Ariminum Rimini ( , ; rgn, Rémin; la, Ariminum) is a city in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy and capital city of the Province of Rimini. It sprawls along the Adriatic Sea, on the coast between the rivers Marecchia (the ancient ''Ariminus ...
(Aemilia) *BC 268
Brundisium Brindisi ( , ) ; la, Brundisium; grc, Βρεντέσιον, translit=Brentésion; cms, Brunda), group=pron is a city in the region of Apulia in southern Italy, the capital of the province of Brindisi, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Histo ...
(Apulia) *BC 264 Firmum *BC 263 Aesernia (Samnium) *BC 247 Alsium (Etruria) *BC 245
Fregenae Fregenae ( el, ; it, Fregene), was a maritime town of ancient Etruria, situated between Alsium and the mouth of the Tiber. The modern Fregene is an Italian hamlet (''frazione'') of Fiumicino, in the Metropolitan City of Rome, Lazio. As of 2012 i ...
(Etruria) *BC 222 Mediolanum (Transoadana) *BC 218 Placentia (Aemilia) *BC 218 Cremona (Venetia et Histria) *BC 197–192 Volturnum, Liternum, Puteoli, Salernum (Campania) Sipontum, Buxentum (Calabria) *BC 196 Brixia (Venetia et Histria) *BC 193 Copia (Lucania et Bruttii) *BC 192 Vibo Valentia (Lucania et Bruttii) *BC 189 Bononia (Aemilia) *BC 184
Pisaurum Pesaro () is a city and '' comune'' in the Italian region of Marche, capital of the Province of Pesaro e Urbino, on the Adriatic Sea. According to the 2011 census, its population was 95,011, making it the second most populous city in the Marche ...
(Umbria), Potentia Romanorum (Lucania et Bruttii) *BC 183
Mutina Modena (, , ; egl, label= Modenese, Mòdna ; ett, Mutna; la, Mutina) is a city and '' comune'' (municipality) on the south side of the Po Valley, in the Province of Modena in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. A town, and seat o ...
,
Parma Parma (; egl, Pärma, ) is a city in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna known for its architecture, music, art, prosciutto (ham), cheese and surrounding countryside. With a population of 198,292 inhabitants, Parma is the second m ...
(Aemilia) *BC 181
Aquilea Aquileia / / / / ;Bilingual name of ''Aquileja – Oglej'' in: vec, Aquiłeja / ; Slovenian: ''Oglej''), group=pron is an ancient history, ancient Roman Republic, Roman city in Italy, at the head of the Adriatic Sea, Adriatic at the edge of th ...
(Venetia es Histria) Gravisca (Latium) *BC 180 Portus Pisanus (Etruria) *BC 177 Luna (Etruria) *BC 125 Pollentia, Vardacate (Liguria) *BC 123–118 Hasta, Dertona (Liguria) *BC 100
Eporedia Ivrea (; pms, Ivrèja ; ; lat, Eporedia) is a town and ''comune'' of the Metropolitan City of Turin in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. Situated on the road leading to the Aosta Valley (part of the medieval Via Francigena), it strad ...
(Transpadana, today Piemonte region)


Under the Principate

Colonies were not founded on a large scale until the inception of the Principate.
Augustus Caesar Augustus (born Gaius Octavius; 23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14), also known as Octavian, was the first Roman emperor; he reigned from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. He is known for being the founder of the Roman Pr ...
, who needed to settle over a hundred thousand of his veterans after the end of his
civil wars A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government polici ...
, began a massive colony creation program throughout his empire. However, not all colonies were new cities. Many were created from already-occupied settlements and the process of colonization just expanded them. Some of these colonies would later grow into large cities (modern day Cologne was first founded as a Roman colony). During this time, provincial cities can gain the rank of colony, gaining certain rights and privileges. After the era of the Severan emperors the new "colonies" were only cities that were granted a status (often of tax exemption), and in most cases during the Late Imperial times there was no more settlement of retired legionaries.


Effects and legacy of colonization

Roman colonies sometimes served as a potential reserve of veterans which could be called upon during times of emergency. However, these colonies more importantly served to produce future Roman citizens and therefore recruits to the
Roman army The Roman army (Latin: ) was the armed forces deployed by the Romans throughout the duration of Ancient Rome, from the Roman Kingdom (c. 500 BC) to the Roman Republic (500–31 BC) and the Roman Empire (31 BC–395 AD), and its medieval contin ...
. Roman colonies played a major role in the spread of the Latin language within the central and southern Italian peninsula during the early empire. The colonies showed surrounding native populations an example of Roman life.


Examples


See also

* Local government (ancient Roman) * Duumviri * Roman colonies in antiquity * List of ancient cities in Thrace and Dacia * List of ancient cities in Illyria


References


Further reading

* Bradley, Guy, and John-Paul Wilson, eds. 2006. ''Greek and Roman Colonization: Origins, Ideologies and Interactions.'' Swansea, UK: Classical Press of Wales. * Broadhead, William. 2007. "Colonization, Land Distribution, and Veteran Settlement." In ''A Companion to the Roman Army.'' Edited by Paul Erdkamp, 148–163. Blackwell Companions to the Ancient World. Malden, MA: Blackwell. * Crawford, Michael H. 2014. "The Roman History of Roman Colonisation." In ''The Roman Historical Tradition: Regal and Republican Rome.'' Oxford Readings in Classical Studies. Edited by James H. Richardson and Federico Santangelo. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press. * Curchin, Leonard A. 1991. ''Roman Spain: Conquest and Assimilation.'' London: Routledge. * Fuhrmann, Christopher J. 2012. ''Policing the Roman Empire: Soldiers, Administration, and Public Order.'' Oxford and New York: Oxford Univ. Press. * Salmon, Edward T. 1955. "Roman Expansion and Roman Colonization in Italy." ''Phoenix'' 9.2: 63–75. * Stek, Tesse D. and Gert-Jan Burgers eds. 2015. ''The Impact of Rome on Cult Places and Religious Practices in Ancient Italy.'' Bulletin of the Institute of Classical Studies Supplement 132. London: Institute of Classical Studies, University of London. * Sears, Gareth. 2011. ''The Cities of Roman Africa.'' Stroud, UK: History Press. * Termeer, Marleen K. 2010. "Early Colonies in Latium (ca 534–338 BC): A Reconsideration of Current Images and the Archaeological Evidence." ''Bulletin Antieke Beschaving'' 85:43–58. * Woolf, Greg. 1998. ''Becoming Roman: The Origins of Provincial Civilization in Gaul.'' Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press.


External links


Jona Lendering, “Coloniae”, Livius.org (2006)L. Adkins and R.A. Adkins, “Coloniae”, in L. Adkins and R.A. Adkins, ''Handbook to Life in Ancient Rome'', New York, 1994.M. Bunson, “colonies, Roman”, in M. Bunson, ''Encyclopedia of the Roman Empire'', New York, 1994.
{{Colonies of Ancient Rome
Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus ( legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...
Ancient Roman geography Veterans' settlement schemes