Ancient History

» Neuroboy76 - Zurich and the Romans

I was in Zurich for a few weeks in January. When walking through the city, one will find the ruins of several columns, left from the days when Zurich was under their rule. My question: How important was Zurich to the ancient Romans?

Thanks for maintaining this site. The classics are important!

-- posted by Neuroboy76

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» Robin Fowler - Zurich and the Romans

In response to Zurich and the Romans posted by Neuroboy76:

The areas surrounding the Alps were conquered by the Roman Emperor Tiberius in 15 B.C. From then on, Switzerland would have been part of the Roman Empire. Rome established several cities there, including Turicum, modern-day Zurich. In the 3rd century A.D., Christianity began to sweep through the Roman Empire. When the Western Roman Empire fell in the 4th century, the Germanic tribes came through and took over the region of the Alps.

All conquered provinces would have been vitally important to the Roman Empire, and Switzerland was no exception. Not only would the outer areas of the Empire have provided a wealth of resources, but they were physical proof of the power of Rome and its legions. This would have helped deter any invaders or rebellions, and allowed the Empire to keep getting bigger. And Rome was all about size and power!

I hope I answered your question! Thanks for stopping by!

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» Neuroboy76 - Zurich and the Romans

In response to Zurich and the Romans posted by mamarobin73:

This brings up an interesting point... Why did Christianity kill the Roman Empire? Surely it must have played a role, as Rome survived for ~6 centuries without it and only 1 century with it. Why should their religion matter? Why should polytheism allow Rome to conquer the world while monotheism (if that's what one wants to call Christianity) would halt their power?

Not trying to start a flame war here... just curious.

Thanks!

-- posted by Neuroboy76

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» Robin Fowler - Zurich and the Romans

In response to Zurich and the Romans posted by Neuroboy76:

Christianity was practiced for most of the Roman Empire. It was practiced in secret, in the Catacombs, but it was there. Over time, even the Emperors (such as Constantine) begans to convert to the radical religion (imagine Christianity being new and radical!), and the days of paganism faded away. The western Roman Empire fell to the Byzantine (or Holy Roman Empire), and Christianity became the predominant (and uncontested) religion (until the Crusades, anyway). The Roman Catholic church of today is of course a remnant of the "new" Roman Empire. At least, I think of it that way.

I don't think Christianity halted the Roman's power. It just shifted it.

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» msfowler - Zurich and the Romans

In response to Zurich and the Romans posted by mamarobin73:

Regarding the importance of the Alps region to the Romans, how far North did the Roman empire extend? I have always thought of the Alps as being very isolated, thus allowing its people to stay out of many of Europe's major conflicts. I can understand why Rome saw the Alps as an easily defended base for northern expansion and would take it if they could. Rome did not seem to be bothered too much by physical barriers (i.e. mountains) in their quest for land.

-- posted by msfowler

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» Robin Fowler - Zurich and the Romans

In response to Zurich and the Romans posted by msfowler:

You are right that Rome was not bothered by physical barriers. In fact, in 47 A.D. they constructed the Great St. Bernard Pass to make the Alps traversable. It was used in later years to travel through the Alps, no doubt in the quest to expand the Empire.

The Roman Empire (at its height of power) extended as far north as Great Britain and the Netherlands (known then as Germania), through the rest of southern Europe, northern Africa, and into the Near East (Mesopotamia, Assyria, etc.)

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» msfowler - Zurich and the Romans

In response to Zurich and the Romans posted by mamarobin73:

Thanks for the response. As expected, Rome engineered its way around another obstacle.

-- posted by msfowler

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