Ravenna, Italy: Classe, Site of 1st Century Roman Port of Ravenna 2
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Authors
Issue Date
5/21/17
Type
Image
Language
Keywords
Italy , Ravenna , Classe , Classis , Ancient Ports , Archaeological Sites , Early Christian Communities
Alternative Title
Abstract
Description
A view, as seen through a bus window, of the archaeological site at Classe. Octavian, who later became known as Emperor Augustus, established a strategic harbor for military purposes in Ravenna, Italy between 35 and 12 BC as a home port for his navy. By the 2nd century AD, a town had been established south of the harbor, which became known as Classis (in Latin), or Classe. The area was mainly cemeteries prior to Augustus' establishment of the naval fleet, but the town grew over the next three hundred years and became one of Rome's most important naval bases--the home of the Mediterranean fleet. Classe was a focus of early Christians and is an archaeological site today, although Ravenna and Classe sink a few inches every century.