Apulum (conurbation)

The twin towns of Apulum were a major urban centre of Roman Dacia, nowadays completely covered by the city of Alba Iulia. They developed in the vicinity of the legionary fortress of Legio XIII Gemina: Colonia Aurelia Apulensis and Colonia Nova Apulensis.

Apulum
castrum Apulum
Location within Romania
Alternative name(s)colonia Aurelia Apulensis, municipium Aurelium Apulense, Chrysopolis, Municipium Septimium Apulense, Apulum I, Apulum II
Known also asAlba Iulia; Gyulafehérvár; Karlsburg
Founded during the reign ofTrajan
Founded107 – 108
Abandoned4th century AD
Attested byTabula Peutingeriana
Place in the Roman world
ProvinceDacia
Administrative unitDacia Apulensis
Administrative unitDacia Superior
Directly connected toUlpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa, Cluj-Napoca
Structure
— Stone structure —
Size and area440 m × 430 m (18.9 ha)
Stationed military units
Legions
XIII Gemina
Location
Coordinates46.0679°N 23.5727°E / 46.0679; 23.5727
Altitude245 m
TownAlba Iulia
Country Romania
Reference
RO-LMIAB-I-s-A-00002; AB-I-m-A-00001.02
RO-RAN1026.02; 1026.04
Site notes
Recognition National Historical Monument
ArchaeologistsB. Csérni

The conurbation extended over 140 ha in the 3rd century with an estimated population between 15,000 and 20,000. The two towns and the castrum, commonly referred together as Apulum, had numerous temples including a Mithraeum and hosted the residence of the consular governor in charge of the Legio XIII Gemina and Legio V Macedonica, making it a de facto centre of Roman Dacia.

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