Unearthing the Lost City of Fregellae!
Recent archaeological discoveries have brought the ancient city of Fregellae back into the spotlight, uncovering significant remnants of a once-thriving agricultural and cultural hub in central Italy. Over 2,000 years ago, Fregellae met a violent end at the hands of the Roman Republic after a failed rebellion. Now, thanks to ongoing excavations, we’re gaining a deeper understanding of its final days and the events that led to its destruction.
The Rise and Fall of Fregellae
Fregellae was established in the 4th century BC, near present-day Arce in the province of Frosinone, and quickly became a strategic Roman colony, particularly in opposition to the Samnites. However, in 125 BC, the city’s inhabitants rebelled against Rome, likely fueled by frustrations over their long-denied request for Roman citizenship. This act of defiance was swiftly and brutally crushed by Roman forces under praetor Lucius Opimius, who reduced the city to ruins.
While historical records of Fregellae’s rebellion are sparse, recent excavations led by a team from the Leibniz-Zentrum für Archäologie (LEIZA) and the University of Trier have begun to fill in the gaps. Professor Dominik Maschek, the project leader, explained that while ancient texts describe the revolt, they leave out key details, particularly regarding why the people revolted. The archaeological evidence is providing the missing pieces.
Photo Credit: Dominik Maschek/LEIZA
Discoveries from Fregellae’s Final Days
Excavations, which have been underway since 2015, have uncovered a wealth of artefacts from Fregellae’s final period, including an agricultural villa built around 205 BC. Owned by local elites, this villa was a major centre for the production of wine, fruit, and grain. Archaeologists found large storage vessels and amphorae, suggesting that the grain and fruit were likely consumed locally, while the wine was exported far beyond the region, reaching as far as Spain and France.
However, the villa also bears the scars of the Roman retaliation. Layers of fire damage and pottery fragments from the time of the revolt indicate that the agricultural complex was destroyed during the same Roman assault that obliterated the city. This destruction had devastating economic consequences for the entire region. According to Maschek, the destruction of Fregellae “caused lasting damage to the entire economy of the region,” with the city remaining abandoned for over 170 years. The site was only repurposed as a waste dump in AD 50.
Photo Credit: Dominik Maschek/LEIZA
Military Precision in the Roman Siege
In addition to the villa, archaeologists also discovered the remains of a Roman military camp specifically constructed for the siege of Fregellae. Spanning 90 by 143 metres, this camp was fortified with defensive ramparts and a ditch, showcasing the military strategy and precision the Romans employed in suppressing the revolt.
Maschek noted that the Romans capitalised on the absence of their consuls, who were away on foreign campaigns at the time, by swiftly deploying troops to crush the rebellion. The people of Fregellae had likely underestimated Rome’s ability to respond decisively, even in the absence of its highest-ranking officials.
A Window into Rome’s Social Struggles
The destruction of Fregellae not only highlights the ruthlessness of Roman military tactics but also provides insight into the broader social and political tensions of the time. Fregellae’s rebellion can be seen as a precursor to the Social War (91–87 BC), during which many of Rome’s allies, like Fregellae, sought—and ultimately won—full Roman citizenship. This discovery offers a glimpse into the struggles that Rome’s allies faced and the lengths they were willing to go to fight for equality.