An overall update of Calabria cities from the Republican to the first Imperial Age

Abstract

In the Southern Apulian area, a whole interpretation about the evidences of roman cities allows to reconstruct partially the reference role which the most ancient colonies, Brundisium (Brindisi, 244 B.C.) and Neptunia in Taranto (123 B.C.), occupied in the urban space organization. Between the end of the I century B.C. and the I century A.D. and in particular in the Augustus age, the analysis of well-researched cities shows significant similarity in the development of road nets and infrastructures. Collective spaces were rearranged in these cities, also as privileged areas to express the agreement with the Empire, oriental cults were supported, residential sectors were requalified with a specific relationship between aristocratic houses and the most important buildings.