The ultimate symbol of Roman power in Trier was the Porta Nigra, or black gate. At nearly 100 feet, it is the largest and best preserved city gate of the ancient world. — Trier Tourismus
Posted on 10/17/2014 10:37:38 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
More than 1,500 years after its demise, the Roman Empire remains a vibrant part of modern-day Trier. Near the borders of France, Luxembourg and Belgium, today’s city of 105,000 was once the administrative capital of the Western Roman Empire and with its monolithic architecture became known as Roma Segunda — the Second Rome. The Romans brought to Trier a high standard of living, exquisite artwork and their famed architectural and engineering skills.
In northern Europe, on an arc from the Alps to the North Sea, in what was once called northeast Gaul and Upper Germania, the remnants of Roman civilization and empire still are easily found.
Trier, on the Moselle River, and Augusta Raurica just across the Rhine River from Germany in Switzerland, are two of the best-preserved and most important Roman cities, much more than provincial posts. With ancient buildings, active archaeological excavations and unearthed silver and gold hoards, both places are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visits include the famous vineyards of the Moselle and of the Rhineland, both established by the Romans...
In Roman Trier’s 4th century heyday, 20,000 would fill the amphitheater seats to watch presentations featuring chariots, exotic animals, music and battles by gladiators. Some were slaves or prisoners of war and others servants who learned the life-or-death, hand-to-hand combat style...
From Trier’s amphitheater it’s a short walk to the Imperial Baths, a massive gathering place with separate hot and cold bathing areas, and an intricate maze of tunnels with furnaces that heated the water to 104 degrees. A predecessor to a modern “spa day,” bathers could relax in either cold or hot water, get massages or have body hair removed and skin cleaned using scrapers, pumice or fermented urine.
(Excerpt) Read more at utsandiego.com ...
The ultimate symbol of Roman power in Trier was the Porta Nigra, or black gate. At nearly 100 feet, it is the largest and best preserved city gate of the ancient world. — Trier Tourismus
I’ll have a steam, a facial, a french mani-pedi, and a massage.
I’ll pass on the fermented urine though. Some other time, perhaps.
In World War II, during our invasion of Germany, the Third Army’s General George S. Patton, Jr. received a message from his superior, General Omar Bradley. It said, “Bypass Trier. It would take too many divisions to capture it.” Patton’s reply to Bradley? “Have already taken city, do you want me to give it back?”
Trier is a lovely town. Visited there a couple of time while assigned to Germany. There is a nice gasthaus on the corner across the street to the left from the Porta Negra in the photo you posted, where I stayed during both visits.
Trier is a cool place. Take the walking tour. Both Marx and Bonhoffer have childhood homes there - on the same street if I remember correctly.
:’)
Who thinks up uses for urine? And fermented urine to boot!
Boy! I can't wait for the fermented urine scrub to come back in to fashion at the local spa!
That must have been one of those inventions that happened by accident.
I can imagine, some Roman left a bedpan up on a shelf in the summer for a bit too long, then went to take it down and spilled it on themselves. Then, when they went to wash it off, they noticed what a beautiful glow their skin had :)
Indeed...one has to hold onto something for a while in order for it to ferment.
Been there many times. It’s beautiful.
They let you wander through the black gate tower.....it’s amazing when you realize Roman and medieval troops manned it.
According to one poet -- I think Catullus or Ovid -- the Spanish. They apparently also used it for laundering clothes and teeth whitening.
Betcha they'll sell it for $$$$ on QVC.
Probably depended on which diseases you had.
Eyew! :-)
Of course, Roman beauty Treatments include powdered LEAD, so who’s complaining! LOL!
There’s an anecdote about the Emperor Vespasian; his son (and eventual successor) complained about the imperial tax on urinals (at the link there’s a photo of one of Vespasian’s public urinals, which is still in use); the emperor produced a coin and asked his son to smell it. “Does it smell?” “No.” “That’s odd — it comes straight from the urinal.”
Urine was used by fullers for wool processing, among other things.
http://www.italiannotebook.com/art-archaeology/vespasian-urinals/
Since it’s near Switzerland, it’s appropriate that it’s an old watchtower. ;’)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
