Ancient Town Aquileia-Roman Street

Aquileia was founded in 181 BC as a military colony by 3,000 veterans after a Celtic advance was repelled. Its strategic location on the Natissa River and as the terminus of the Amber Road, which transported amber from the Baltic Sea to Italy, as well as access to the mining-intensive province of Noricum, contributed to its rise. The city flourished through trade in amber, glass production, iron smelting, and shipbuilding. Julius Caesar and Augustus visited Aquileia, which also served as a bulwark against “barbarians.” Emperor Marcus Aurelius used the city as his headquarters in 168 during the Marcomannic Wars. In 238, Aquileia sided against Emperor Maximinus Thrax, who was killed during the city's siege.