Archaeologists have uncovered a massive 2,000-year-old stone basin in ancient Gabii, Italy, revealing early Roman public architecture from Rome’s powerful rival city. According to a University of Missouri press release, the structure was discovered in the ancient ruins of Gabii, approximately 11 miles east of Rome. Marcello Mogetta, chair of the Department of Classics, Archaeology and Religion, estimated the basin was built around 250 B.C.
Mogetta noted that the structure may be one of the earliest examples of large-scale Roman public architecture outside of temples and city walls. It may also demonstrate how Roman architects were influenced by Greek styles. The discovery highlights the cultural ties between Rome and Gabii, although the relationship between the two cities was complex. While they shared a common heritage, they were also rivals, with conflicts dating back to the 5th century B.C.
The last recorded conflict between Rome and Gabii occurred during the Latin War, in which Gabii sided with Latin states that were rebelling against Roman hegemony. The decisive victory of Rome was achieved at the Battle of Lake Regillus, located on the border of the territory of Gabii. The city of Gabii once featured aristocratic residences, city walls, huts, houses, agricultural land, and one temple called the Santuario Orientale.
However, the city eventually declined in the first century B.C., as the area was occupied for 2,000 years before becoming uninhabitable. Mogetta explained that Gabii’s reliance on imperial investments eventually faded, leading to its decline. The geographic proximity to Rome may have initially been an advantage, but the rise of Rome as a metropolis and superpower on the international stage worked against Gabii.
Furthermore, the territory outside Gabii turned into marshland, making it uninhabitable. This led to the migration of some elite families to Rome, while others sought better opportunities in the imperial capital. The excavation team also detected an