Castellum Mattiacorum

About

The Castellum Mattiacorum (Latin for "Fort in the Land of the Mattiaci") was a Roman military camp in Mainz-Kastel, Wiesbaden. The ancient name was attested by several inscriptions. The multiphase camp was located near the present-day Catholic Church of St.

George. It was established around 11 BC when the Romans from Mogontiacum (modern Mainz) built a Bridge (initially a provisional pontoon bridge) over the Rhine, and secured the right-bank bridgehead with a fort. The backdrop was the expansion efforts of Drusus into the territory of unconquered Germania.

Near the fort stood a triumphal arch, whose foundation was excavated in 1986. Whether it was the triumphal arch known from other sources dedicated to the deceased Germanicus or a monument from the Domitian period is debated. The early fort, built from earth and timber, is not yet archaeologically confirmed.

It was likely destroyed in AD 69 and replaced in AD 71 by a stone fort measuring 71 × 98 meters. The fort was situated directly on the axis of the Roman bridge. The duration of occupation of the stone fort is unknown, though it was possibly abandoned by the early 2nd century as the Civitas Mattiacorum emerged.

Adjoining the fort...