Colonia Norbensis Caesarina, commonly referred to as “Norbensis,” stands as a testament to Roman influence in the Iberian Peninsula. Located in what is now the city of Lugo in northwestern Spain’s Galicia region, this ancient city has a history deeply intertwined with Roman military campaigns and cultural assimilation.
Founded by Emperor Augustus around 25 BCE, Norbensis was established primarily to settle veterans from the Cantabrian Wars, where Romans battled the Cantabri and Astures tribes in northern Spain. Quickly, the city burgeoned into an essential administrative and military center, leveraging its strategic position to exert Roman control over the region.
The enduring legacy of Norbensis is most vividly seen in the Muralla Romana de Lugo, a majestic Roman wall encircling Lugo’s old town. Spanning over 2 kilometers, this UNESCO World Heritage site boasts ten gates and multiple towers, standing as a remarkably well-preserved relic from antiquity.
However, the city’s narrative is not without its trials. Like many Roman settlements, Norbensis faced tumultuous times during the Roman Empire’s decline, particularly with Germanic tribe invasions. Yet, its spirit remained indomitable. The city continued its journey through the Middle Ages, evolving while preserving its Roman essence.
Archaeological endeavors in and around Lugo have unveiled structures and artifacts echoing its Roman heritage. Among these discoveries is a striking bronze statue of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, grain, and fertility. Often paralleled with the Greek goddess Demeter, Ceres is iconographically depicted with symbols like torches, wheat sheaves, and poppies, underscoring her agricultural dominion.
This statue’s presence in Norbensis illuminates the religious inclinations of its inhabitants. It suggests that they revered Ceres as a protector, a fitting sentiment for a city where agriculture played a pivotal role in sustenance and prosperity. Given the Iberian Peninsula’s reputation as a significant grain hub for the Roman Empire, the veneration of Ceres, with her agricultural associations, finds a logical home in Norbensis.
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