House in Insula 1 and 2 in Augusta Raurica

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Dates

150 CE to ca. 170 CE

Garden Description

This house in Insula 1 and 2 in Augusta Raurica, built on sloping terrain on the northern edge of the city around CE 150, was enlarged twenty years later to incorporate at least two certain gardens (Fig. 1). It bordered north and south on streets and was flanked on the east and west by other houses. In this last phase after ca. 170 CE, the house covered an area of about 2000 square meters. In the center of the building was an irregular peristyle courtyard, at the north end of which was a private bath complex.

East of the house was a long rectangular area open to the sky and divided into plots by a wall. In the northernmost plot a layer of humic soil 20-40 centimeters thick was excavated that the excavators interpret as evidence for a garden (G on plan).

The northern part of the house facing the street included an open terrace which may have been built up on demolished walls of the earlier house. Humus-rich soil in the terrace area may indicate that it was planted (G in Fig. 1). Immediately south of the terrace was a portico that offered a splendid view of the valley.

Plans

Fig. 1: Augusta Raurica., House in insula 1 and 2.

Credit: Adapted from Hufschidt.

Bibliography

P.-A. Schwarz, „Die Nordmauer und die Überreste der Innenbebauung der spätrömischen Befestigung auf Kastelen in Augusta Rauricorum. Vorbericht über die Grabung 1991.51," Jahresberichte aus Augst und Kaiseraugst 13, 1992: 47-76. (worldcat)
T. Hufschmid, Kastelen 3. Die jüngeren Steinbauten in den Insulae 1 und 2 von Augusta Raurica. Forschungen in Augst 23, Augst, 1996. (worldcat)

Keywords

House in Insula 30 in Augusta Raurica

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Dates

200 CE

Garden Description

Insula 30 in Augusta Raurica, east of the central baths, was taken up by a single house built around 200 CE. This house replaced several earlier structures on the site. The insula, including the street colonnades, had an overall area of ca. 48 x 60 meters.

The house had a peristyle courtyard of rectangular shape which was surrounded on three sides by a low wall supporting stone columns. The courtyard was unpaved and almost certainly planted (G in Fig. 1). Entering the house from the east, one passed through a vestibule before arriving in the peristyle corridor around the courtyard. The courtyard wall, enclosing an area 14 x 23.50 meters in size, was fronted by a water channel. There was a well in the north. From the triclinium to the west of the courtyard, one had a view directly into the courtyard.

Plans

Fig. 1: Plan of a house in Insula 30 with a garden courtyard (G).

Credit: Plan adapted from Laur-Belart 1988, fig. 126.

Bibliography

R. Laur-Belart, Führer durch Augusta Raurica, 5th Ed., Basel, 1988, pp. 134-136, fig. 126. (worldcat)
M. Carroll, Romans, Celts and Germans. The German Provinces of Rome, Stroud, 2001, p. 55, fig. 20. (worldcat)

Ausgusta Raurica on Gardens of the Roman Empire

House in Insula 1 and 2 in Augusta Raurica

Dates

Garden Description

Plans

Bibliography

Keywords

House in Insula 30 in Augusta Raurica

Dates

Garden Description

Plans

Bibliography

Keywords