ROMA

Title translation: "Fortifications and urban space in the Conventus Tarraconensis: The fortified defensive systems of the Conventus Tarraconensis in the context of the military infrastructure of the Roman Empire".

Summary: This PhD thesis consist of a methodical, scientific and rigorous study of the fortifications (city walls, forts and watchtowers) of the Conventus Tarraconensis region in the context of the military infrastructure of the Roman empire. Chronologically it has been considered each period of the Roman domain of Hispania: Republic (218-27 BC), Early Empire (27 BC-284 AD) Late Empire (284-476), in addition to the end of Late Antiquity (the Visigothic kingdom, 476-711). Geographically the study is limited to the space occupied by the juridical conventus of Tarraco in the imperial era, from the Pyrenees to the river Xúquer. Regarding the typology and the sites, we analyzed civitates, oppida, castra, castella and turres, paying special attention to the enclosures of Aeso, Baetulo, Barcino, Dertosa, Emporiae, Gerunda, Iesso, Iluro, Olèrdola, Saguntum, Tarraco and Valentia.

Reference: Doctoral thesis, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Tesis Doctorals en Xarxa.

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Title translation: "The problem of the Roman watchtowers in the area of Conventus Tarraconensis".

Summary: The aim of this study is to analyze the chronological and typological problems concerning the ancient watchtowers preserved in the Conventus Tarraconensis region (Hispania), giving support to the Roman authorship of many of them and at the same time demonstrating their subsequent re-use, by both Christians and Muslims, during the Middle Ages.

Reference: Butlletí Arqueològic Tarraconense, èp. V, núm. 33, pp. 25-79.

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Summary: From the analysis of archaeological remains, we propose the existence of a fortified complex in the Eastern Pyrenees in Late Antiquity (4th-6th centuries), composed of a double defensive line of military small forts (castra and castella), watchtowers (turres) and small walled towns (civitates). Its location reveals the importance of the strategic control of the main regional roads (Via Augusta-Via Domitia and Strata Ceretana) through the mountain passes, common points of entry to Hispania of invasions and migrations. We also analyze the limes or fortified defensive system similarly organized in the Visigoth period (6th century) in front of the Byzantine province Cartaginiensis Spartarie.

Reference: Aquila Legionis. Cuadernos de estudios sobre el Ejército Romano 15, pp. 165-202.

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