Collection Inspiration: Roman Ruins

At its maximum extent about 1,900 years ago, the Roman Empire stretched from England to North Africa to the Middle East, and included the entire Mediterranean. Due in part to the Romans’ mastery of engineering and materials, the remains of some structures still stand after nearly two millennia. Today, many nations celebrate these ruins on their currency as an important part of their cultural heritage. And the notes would be an excellent start to a Roman Empire-centric collection.

Ten Roman Ruins

European Union / France

Depicted on the back of the European Union / France 2013 5 Euro note, The Pont du Gard is an ancient Roman aqueduct bridge built in the first century A.D. The bridge has three tiers of arches made from Shelly limestone and once carried an estimated 8,800,000 gallons of water a day over 31 miles to the fountains, baths and homes of the citizens of Nîmes, in southern France. After the Roman Empire collapsed and the aqueduct fell into disuse, the Pont du Gard remained largely intact due to the importance of its secondary function as a toll bridge. Over time, some of its stone blocks were looted, and serious damage was inflicted on it in the 17th century. It underwent a series of renovations between the 18th and 21st centuries.

Croatia

The Pula Arena (called Pulska Arena in Croatia) is a Roman amphitheater located in Pula, Croatia, and it is featured on the back of the Croatia, National Bank 2012 10 Kuna note. The Arena was built between 27 B.C. and A.D. 68, during the reign of Augustus, when the city of Pula became a regional center of Roman rule, called Pietas Julia. Originally built from timber, it was later replaced by stone during the reign of emperor Claudius. It was once used for gladiator fights, and it is still used today for concerts and other public events. Among the world's six largest surviving Roman arenas, it is the only remaining Roman amphitheater to have four side towers entirely preserved.

Romania

The ancient city of Histria (also called Istropolis, Istriopolis and Histriopolis) is commemorated on the back of the Romania, Banca Nationala 1998 1,000 Lei note. Histria was a Greek colony near the mouth of the Danube on the western coast of the Black Sea. Around A.D. 30, Histria came under Roman domination, and the Roman leaders built temples for the Roman gods, besides a public bath and houses for the wealthy.

Algeria

The Amphitheatre of El Jem is an oval amphitheater in the modern-day city of El Djem, Tunisia, formerly Thysdrus, in the Roman province of Africa. The amphitheater was built around A.D. 238, and it remains one of the best-preserved Roman stone ruins in the world. As with other amphitheaters in the Roman Empire, it was built for spectator events, with an estimated capacity of 35,000. However, the population also sought shelter here during the attacks of Vandals in 430. The amphitheater is seen on the reverse of the Algeria, Banque de l'Algérie 1942-45 50 Francs note.

Jordan

Jerash is a city in northern Jordan located 30 miles north of the capital city of Amman. During the Greek, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods, Jerash flourished, until the Galilee earthquake in A.D. 749 destroyed large parts of it. The remains of the city of Jerash are pictured on the reverse of the Jordan, Central Bank 1996 1 Dinar note.

Libya

Originally built in the 6th century B.C., the Zeus Temple in Cyrene was rebuilt by the Romans in the 2nd century A.D. with a new marble frontage and a high podium but was destroyed by an earthquake in the 4th century A.D. Some scholars argue that this temple was dedicated to Zeus; however, there are varying views regarding who it was dedicated to. The temple is seen on the Libya, Central Bank 2021 5 Dinars note.

Tunisia

Dougga was an ancient city near Carthage that came under Roman control about 2,000 years ago. Three Roman baths have been excavated in the town, including the Bath of the Cyclopses. That bath includes a stunning mosaic of cyclopses forging Jupiter’s thunderbolts, which can be seen on the back of the Tunisia, Banque de l'Algérie et de la Tunisie 1946-47500 Francs note.

Syria

The Monumental Arch (also called the Arch of Triumph) was a Roman ornamental archway in Palmyra, Syria, built in the 3rd century during the reign of emperor Septimius Severus. The arch was decorated with ornate stone carvings, including reliefs depicting plants or geometrical designs. According to some sources, the structure was built as a triumphal arch to commemorate the Romans' victories over the Parthians. The Monumental Arch can be seen on the reverse of the Syria, Central Bank 1958 100 Pounds note.

Cyprus

The Roman theater of Salamis in Cyprus was built in the first century A.D. during the reign of Augustus, and completed during the years of Trajan and Hadrian in the 2nd century A.D. The theater of Salamis originally had 50 rows of seats (now only 18 remain) and held over 15,000 spectators. An image of it can be found on the back of the Cyprus, Central Bank 1979 5 Pounds.

Turkey

The Library of Celsus was constructed in the 2nd century A.D. in ancient Ephesus, located in western Turkey, and was a repository of over 12,000 scrolls. The Celsus Library is a typical example of the architectural style prevalent in the period under Emperor Hadrian (76-138 A.D.) when, especially in the East, highly decorative facades were popularized with multiple tiers and masses of projections, recessed false windows, columns, pediments and statues. Today, only the library's impressive facade remains. The Library of Celsus in Ephesus can be seen on the back of the Turkey, Central Bank 2001 20,000,000 Lirasi note.

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