Augusta Emerita

Augusta Emerita, also called Emerita Augusta, was a Roman colonia founded in 25 BC in present day Mérida [1]. The city was founded by Roman Emperor Augustus to resettle Emeriti soldiers from the veteran legions of the Cantabrian Wars, these being Legio V Alaudae, Legio X Gemina, and possibly Legio XX Valeria Victrix [1]. The city, one of the largest in Hispania, was the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania [1]. It had three aqueducts and two fora [1]. The city was situated at the junction of several important routes [1]. It sat near a crossing of the Guadiana river [1]. The Circus of Augusta Emerita was built some time around 20 BC, and was in use for many years before its dedication some thirty years later, probably during the reign of Augustus' successor, Tiberius [1]. At some 400m long and 100m wide, the Circus was the city's largest building, and could seat about 30,000 spectators – the city's entire population, more or less [1].