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Ancient Rome was the largest Empire the world has ever known. Of course, the city itself was the epicentre of its seismic influence, but how far did it stretch? Scroll down and use the click and drag function to explore the outer limits in Street View...
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The Roman Theatre, Aphrodisias, Turkey
Like many Roman cities, Aphrodisias began as a Greek settlement, dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite. The city was well-known for its excellent sculptors, who undoubtedly constructed the new Roman Theatre when the city was captured in the 1st Century BCE.
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Lugo, Spain
At the western end of the empire, the late-Roman city walls of Lugo, Spain, are some of the best-preserved in the world. These formidable 3rd Century walls are topped by a wide walkway, which allows visitors to circle the the ancient city.
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Jerash, Jordan
The excellent preservation of the colonnaded and paved streets of Jerash, Jordan, has earned it the nickname, 'Pompeii of the East'. The city, known as 'Antioch on the Golden River', is home to temples, covered markets, triumphal arches, theatres, and a unique oval-shaped forum.
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Butrint, Albania
Butrint is one of the most important archaeological sites in Albania. In the early Roman Empire the colony of Buthrotum was used to house retired veteran soldiers. An aqueduct, as well as baths, houses, and a Nymphaeum (a sacred spring shrine) were built in this burgeoning city.
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Vindolanda, England
The town of Vindolanda lay at the very northern tip of the empire, along the border marked by Hadrian's Wall. But even out here, the soldiers were enjoying themselves and going to birthday parties, as revealed by ancient letters discovered here by archaeologists in 1973.
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Timgad, Algeria
High in the Aurès Mountains is the city of Timgad, built from scratch by Emperor Trajan. It remains one of the best examples of a grid-planned city, with streets and blocks extending as far as the eye can see. In the late empire, this outpost became a centre of Christianity.
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Hierapolis, Turkey
The hot springs of Hierapolis were famed throughout the empire. Thousands of people travelled here to sample the health-giving waters. The rich city boasted two bath houses, a gymnasium, and a fountain, as well as the theatre built by Emperor Hadrian.
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Pula, Croatia
The arena at Pula was one of the grandest in the empire. It offers an impressive site across the city and over the sea. The arena had a retractable fabric roof known as velaria and even a system for sprinkling cool water over spectators.
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Bath, England
To the Romans it was Aquae Sulis, 'The Waters of Sulis', after the Celtic goddess. As with Hierapolis, its sulphurous waters were famed for their medicinal qualities, and the warm waters would have offered a welcome respite from the notoriously cold, wet weather of Britannica.
Modern Rome-Campo Vaccino (1839) by Joseph Mallord William TurnerThe J. Paul Getty Museum
Now you've explored the outer reaches of the Empire, return to Rome and explore the World Heritage Sites of the Ancient City.
You are all set!
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