On the origin of the Roman idea of town: geometrical and astronomical references
Volume 10 (2008): Astronomy and Cosmology in Folk Traditions and Cultural Heritage, pp. 149–154
Pub. online: 20 December 2008
Type: Article
Open Access
Open Access
Received
28 October 2007
28 October 2007
Revised
1 June 2008
1 June 2008
Published
20 December 2008
20 December 2008
Abstract
Recent ideas about the formation of the Roman tradition of town layout and the associated foundation rituals are briefly reviewed. The example of Cosa is used as a case study to investigate the possible existence of an archaic, tripartite layout, as is mentioned by some authoritative ancient writers.