From Latin settlement to Roman garrison? The transformation of Crustumerium in the context of Roman expansion

Abstract

Ancient Roman authors record Rome’s efforts to control Tiber fords and trans- regional trade during the sixth century BC, culminating in conflicts with its Latin neighbours  and the Sabines. Crustumerium, strategically located 15 km north of Rome and 12 km east of Veii, was subdued around 500 BC, as indicated by the establishment of the tribus Clustumina,  indicating Rome’s definitive annexation of Crustumerium’s territory. Archaeological inves- tigations by the Soprintendenza of Rome and the Groningen Institute of Archaeology indeed  reveal disruption and abandonment of the settlement around this period.  A key feature at Crustumerium is an artificial mound on its southwestern edge, con- structed over its defensive line and partially covering the main burial ground. The  mound contains parallel walls hastily built with reused settlement materials and debris. Dionysius of Halicarnassus describes a Roman garrison (φρούροὶ) and fortress (φρούριον)  at Crustumerium in 469-468 BC, which may correspond to this structure. This paper pro- vides an overview of the mound’s stratigraphy and features, highlighting the significance  of material reuse and exploring connections to historical sources. While it cannot be confirmed that the parallel walls are part of the φρούριον mentioned by  Dionysius, the reuse of the location and settlement materials likely reflects the geopolitical turmoil of the early fifth century BC in the region.