Forum Iulii, Ancient Roman settlement in Fréjus, France
Forum Iulii is an archaeological site with Roman-era remains spread across several excavation areas in Fréjus. The discoveries include a forum, an amphitheater, an aqueduct, and structures from private dwellings.
The site was founded in 49 BC as a naval base after a nearby port city opposed the founder. This strategic establishment allowed control of sea routes between Italy and Spain.
The name comes from the Roman general who founded it, and this is reflected in how the site was designed to blend military control with commercial activity. The layout of buildings shows how Romans organized a city to combine authority with trade.
The site can be explored year-round, with guided tours available through the tourist office near the Roman theater entrance. Access is available from multiple entry points that connect the different excavation areas throughout the city.
The original harbor is now completely silted up and sits kilometers away from today's coastline, a testament to massive landscape changes over two millennia. This transformation reveals how rivers and erosion have fundamentally reshaped the region's geography.
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