Augusta Raurica is a former Roman colony and city located on the Rhine River some 11 km (7 miles) east of the modern Swiss city of Basel, in between the towns of Kaiseraugst and Augst. Founded by Lucius Munatius Plancus (90 BCE - 15 BCE) around 44-43 BCE, Augusta Raurica is the oldest Roman colony constructed along the Rhine. The colony grew quickly into a city and by c. 200 CE, Augusta Raurica had between 10,000-20,000 inhabitants in its short-lived heyday. Despite its rapid growth in just three centuries, constant attacks by the Alemanni, an earthquake around 250 CE, and continued political unrest in Roman Rhaetia caused the majority of Augusta Raurica's population to abandon their city.
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Definition
Timeline
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c. 15 BCEFoundation of the Roman colony Augusta Raurica in Switzerland.
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50 CEMore substantial buildings of stone are constructed at Augusta Raurica.
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c. 280 CEA wall and moat are added to protect Augusta Raurica.
