Pollentia (Majorca) facts for kids
"Sa Portella" residential area in Pollentia
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 Location in Spain
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| Location | Alcúdia, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain |
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| Coordinates | 39°51′0″N 03°07′20″E / 39.85000°N 3.12222°E |
| Type | Settlement |
| History | |
| Founded | 1st century BC |
| Site notes | |
| Discovered | 17th century |
| Excavation dates | 1923–present |
Pollentia (which is Pol·lèntia in Catalan) was an ancient Roman city. It was started by a Roman leader named Quintus Caecilius Metellus Balearicus. This happened around 123 BC.
Pollentia was built where the town of Alcúdia is today. The oldest parts of the city that we have found are from the early 1st century BC. This makes experts think that Pollentia might have started as a castra, which was a Roman military camp. This camp would have been set up by soldiers who came to the island.
History of Pollentia
Like other Roman cities started by the leader Metellus, Pollentia probably began as a military camp. This camp was used until about 70 BC. Around that time, the city started to become more organized and built up. This is what archaeologists have found when digging in the area where the city's main square, called the forum, used to be.
Pollentia was a rich and busy city. The part of the city that we can still see today is about 16 hectares big. That's like 22 football fields!
What Happened to the City?
In the 3rd century AD, Pollentia had a big fire. Even though the fire was very bad, people did not leave the city completely. In the 5th century AD, a new wall was built around the forum area to protect the city.
Over the next few centuries, fewer and fewer people lived in Pollentia. Eventually, the Christian people who lived there moved a little further north. They settled in the place that is now the town of Alcúdia. The nearby town of Pollença actually gets its name from this old Roman city.
Discovering the Past
People have been finding parts of Pollentia since the 16th century. But the most important digs started in the early 1900s. Most of the digging has happened in a few main areas:
- Sa Portella: This was a neighborhood where people lived.
- The Forum: This was the city's main square and business center.
- The Tabernae: These were shops and workshops.
- The Theater: This was where people watched plays and performances.
These digs help us learn a lot about what life was like in this ancient Roman city!
See also
In Spanish: Pollentia para niños
