Gold coins (solidi) found in Roman city Aquileia

The Roman city of Aquileia, near the Adriatic Sea, was entirely destroyed by Attila in AD 452. Recent excavations in the area have revealed three gold coins (solidi), several amphorae, and other artifacts.

The coins were minted during the reigns of Valens (pictured above and reigned AD 364-378), Arcadius (383-408), and Magnus Maximus (383-388).

This recent excavation and earlier excavations support the idea that Aquileia played a more significant role in trade than previously believed.

After Aquileia was sacked by the Huns, many survivors fled to the lagoons and established the city of Venice.









Summary of Discoveries

Archaeologists in Aquileia have discovered three rare late Roman gold coins and evidence of a lost river port, revealing the city’s role as a major imperial trade hub. The discoveries emphasize Aquileia’s economic and political significance from the 1st to the 4th centuries A.D., linking local commerce with the broader Roman world.

Gold Coins:

Found beneath paving stones in a portico at the Fondo ex Pasqualis site.

Coins bear the names of Emperors Valens, Magnus Maximus, and Arcadius.

Rare denominations, likely imperial gifts rather than circulating currency.

Hidden during unrest and never retrieved, underscoring Aquileia’s ties to the imperial court.

River Port Evidence:

Amphorae embedded in the ground formed a drainage/stabilization system.

The layout suggests storage areas linked to a riverside quay.

Indicates Aquileia’s southern sector once stood along a wider river, serving as a landing point for cargo.

Marketplace & Street:

Excavations revealed a cobbled street with wheel ruts, showing carts transported goods.

Six large market buildings stored and sold cereals, meat, vegetables, fruit.

Charred cereal grains recovered from collapse zones provide insight into food production and diet.

Later Use of Site:

After destruction, small dwellings, workshops, and burials were added.

Radiocarbon dating is underway to refine chronology.

The Fondazione Aquileia plans to integrate the street into visitor routes, making the site accessible to the public.

Aquileia’s Role in Roman Trade: Founded in 181 B.C., Aquileia was one of the largest Roman cities in northern Italy. It acted as a gateway to the Danube frontier and a hub for trade with the Balkans and beyond. Its river port linked inland routes with the Adriatic Sea, making it a strategic commercial and military center.

Imperial Coinage Significance: Coins of Valens (r. 364–378), Magnus Maximus (r. 383–388), and Arcadius (r. 383–408) show Aquileia’s prominence during the late Roman Empire, a time marked by political fragmentation and shifting power. These coins were often given as donatives to secure loyalty among elites.

Urban Planning Insight: The discovery of organized marketplaces, drainage systems, and streets accessible by carts demonstrates Roman urban engineering. Aquileia’s layout reflects other major trading cities like Ostia, highlighting the integration of river and road transportation.

Archaeological Continuity: Finds of charred grains and amphorae link Aquileia’s economy to Mediterranean agricultural trade networks. Amphorae types could reveal their origins (e.g., Spain or North Africa), aiding the reconstruction of trade routes.

✨ Why It Matters

These findings strengthen Aquileia’s reputation as a “second Rome” in the north, both militarily and economically. The gold coins may connect the city directly to imperial politics, while the port evidence showcases its logistical sophistication.


https://greekreporter.com/2025/11/12/treasures-gold-roman-river-port-ancient-city-aquileia/