Aquincum

Welcome to Aquincum, pronounced Ah-kwin-koom. As an historian of antiquity, I consider this to be one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in Central Europe. …

We begin at the Military Amphitheater, a structure of staggering proportions. Located slightly apart from the main civilian ruins, this arena was built specifically for the entertainment and training of the legionaries. …

As we walk through the remains of the military fortress area, we must discuss the men who garrisoned it. For centuries, the backbone of Aquincum was the Legio Secunda Adiutrix, the Second Rescue Legion. …

Direct your gaze toward the Danube River, specifically toward the large island known today as Hajógyári-sziget, or Shipyard Island. Today, it is famous globally as the site of the massive Sziget music festival. …

We have now entered the civilian city of Aquincum. At its peak in the second and third centuries, this settlement boasted a population of roughly thirty thousand citizens. …

We arrive now at the extensive ruins of the public bathhouse, the Thermae. As noted earlier, the Romans were ecstatic to find the ample thermal waters of Ak-ink. …

Our final stop within the ruins is the Civilian Amphitheater. Notice that it is significantly smaller than the military arena we visited earlier, seating roughly five to six thousand spectators. …

Our academic journey through ancient Aquincum concludes here. We have traversed an immense span of history, from the Celtic Eravisci naming the ample waters, to the arrival of the formidable Legio Two Adiutrix. …

Our academic journey through ancient Aquincum concludes here. We have traversed an immense span of history, from the Celtic Eravisci naming the ample waters, to the arrival of the formidable Legio Two Adiutrix. …