City Center and Location @museum.de

After defeating Carthage, the Roman Empire continued to expand over the course of three centuries. Under Emperor Trajan (98-117 AD), it reached its greatest extent: from Ethiopia in the south to the northern border of England; from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Caspian Sea in the east.

All conquered territories were connected by roads, secured militarily, and administered as provinces by officials.

Today's state of Baden-Württemberg belonged to two Roman provinces. The Baden region and the central Neckar region belonged to the province of GERMANIA SUPERIOR, whose governor was based in Mainz (Mogontiacum). Lake Constance LACUS BRIGANTINUS, Upper Swabia, the central Alb, the Eastern Alb, and the Remstal east of Lorch were part of the province of Raetia PROVINCIA RAETIA, with the governor's seat in Augsburg AUGUSTA VINDELICUM.

Thanks to the Roman inscriptions that have been handed down, we know not only the name of the settlement, but also its legal status. The name suggests a Celtic predecessor settlement.

SUMELOCENNA and the surrounding land were granted the administrative status of an imperial domain SALTUS at the latest during the reign of Emperor TRAIAN (98-117 AD).

Around the middle of the second century, the southern central Neckar region is organized as the CIVITAS regional authority. SUMELOCENNA becomes the capital of CIVITAS SUMELOCENNENSIS. As the center and administrative seat of the area, it underwent further upgrading. Elaborate buildings gave the settlement an urban character, even though it was not a city in the legal sense, but only a VICUS.

In Roman times, several important roads led through SUMELOCENNA in all directions of southwestern Germany. The most important of these for SUMELOCENNA was the major highway from Switzerland via MUNICIPIUM ARAE FLAVIAE (Rottweil) - SUMELOCENNA (Rottenburg) - GRINARIO (Köngen) - AQUILEIA (Heidenheim) to REGINUM (Regensburg). This route is also marked on the Tabula Peutingeriana, a medieval copy of a Roman road map from the middle of the fourth century. There, marked with a symbol of two towers, is also the ancient name of Rottenburg, spelled SAMULOCENIS.

Today, the towns along the ancient route are connected by the Roman road Neckar-Alb-Aare. Here, numerous traces of Roman settlement history can be discovered.