Region Lazio Founded 312 BC Excavation dates 2010-2012 | Type settlement Cultures Roman Republic Archaeologist Martin Millett | |
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Archaeologists Martin Millett; Alessandro Launaro Weather 5°C, Wind N at 5 km/h, 75% Humidity | ||
Interamna Lirenas was an ancient Roman colony near the current Pignataro Interamna, in the southern province of Frosinone, central Italy.
History
Interamna Lirenas was founded in 312 BC as a colony of Latins in an area perhaps already housing Volscan settlements, on the route of the Via Latina. It was situated at the confluence of the Liri and Rio Spalla Bassa rivers, whence the name "Interamna" (meaning "between the rivers").
Interamna Lirenas served as a military base during the Samnite Wars, leading to its destruction by the Samnites in 294 BC. It was again ravaged by Hannibal in 212 BC; since it later sided with Carthage, after the Carthaginian defeat at Zama in 202 BC it was forced by Rome to pay heavy tribute. It became a municipium in 90 BC. The site received further settled veterans ca. 40 BC.
Archaeological remains include numerous inscriptions and a few remains of buildings. The archaeological site has been sampled by use of geophysical techniques (including magnetometry), leading to the discovery of the site of a Roman theater.