From Aventicum to Avenches

27 September 2021

The story of the migration of some Celtic tribes (Helvetii, Rauraci) in 58 BC to eastern France is known because of the book de bello gallico by Julius Caesar (100-44 BC).

Far less known outside present-day Switzerland is the history after their defeat in that year near Bibracte, and the return to their homelands in Switzerland.

Two colonies were founded by the Romans (Colonia Iulia Equestris (Nyon) and Augusta Raurica (Augst) around 44 BC. The tribes became allies of the Romans (foederati). The Pax Romana was about to begin;  it would last, with some violent interruptions (in the years 68/69 AD), until 260 AD.

The city of Aventicum (nowadays Avenches, canton of Vaud) had around 20 000 inhabitants. It was the provincial capital of the Helvetians.

The Imperial representation and propaganda were omnipresent in the city. The gold bust of Emperor Marcus Aurelius was discovered in 1939.

Many other finds — coins, medallions, ivory objects, portraits, statues, mosaics, symbols of power and religion and myths — are witnesses of ceremonies of the imperial cult, honouring the semi-divine imperial family.

One of the main centres of this cult was the theatre. The theatre was an important social and political public medium, a place of propaganda and self-representation. The audience was seated according to their ranks and hierarchy.

The financing of these expensive and sumptuous edifices and spectacles was provided mainly by the members of the local elite (ordo decurionum) and wealthy citizens.

The imperial cult in the theatre was an important ceremony with processions and sacrifices.

The amphitheatre became popular in the second century. The Colosseum in Rome (built around 70 AD) became the model of the Roman way of life in provincial towns and Aventicum.

Monuments and statues were erected in honour of the imperial family or local notables. They showed respect and gratitude for their euergetism (generosity by financing public buildings, games, food distribution and other acts of euergetism).

The Roman museum (musée romain) in Avenches,  housed in the medieval tower of the Roman Amphitheatre, gives a good overview of the life of a provincial Roman town.

The theatre complex,  the remains of the temple (le Cigognier), the amphitheatre and other Roman artefacts and constructions still give Avenches the image of Aventicum.

(Source and further information: www.avenches.ch).