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Cardo Maximus - Printable Version

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Cardo Maximus - Lothia - 10-18-2018

Ave civitas,

The cardo maximus was the prime north-south street in Roman cities and military camps.
Jerusalem also had a cardo maximus, but I think that is because it had major improvements made after Titus.
In the novel I am working on I have several scenes take place in Seleucia  Periea and in Antiochia.  Both of these cities were Greek and Persian before they were Roman.
I know the Romans did not always lay their customs over existing customs in conquered cities.  So they may not have renamed the main avenue cardo maximus.  My question is, if they did not, was there a Greek equivelant to the cardo maximus (naming the primary street) in Greek cities?  And if there was, what was it?

As always,  Thank you all in advance.


RE: Cardo Maximus - Nathan Ross - 10-18-2018

(10-18-2018, 01:46 PM)Lothia Wrote: was there a Greek equivelant to the cardo maximus (naming the primary street) in Greek cities?  And if there was, what was it?

The great colonnaded street in Constantinople was named the Mese (in Greek), and it appears that similar streets in other eastern cities, including Antioch, had the same name:

https://journals.openedition.org/syria/5606?lang=en

This writer suggests that the one in Antioch might also have been called the Via Triumphalis (this is a really good site about Antioch generally, if you haven't come across it before):

http://libaniusredux.blogspot.com/2008/06/colonnaded-street.html


RE: Cardo Maximus - Lothia - 10-19-2018

Nathan,

You are right, a really good site. I will be spending some time there I see. Appreciate your help.