In this episode, we leave the chronological path of our narrative. We are going to visit a Roman Cologne that might have been just like this. Between the years 100-250 CE. This time span of 150 years was the golden age of Roman Cologne.

VIP visit to our city on the Rhine. The heir to the throne Marcus Ulpius Traianus visits Cologne in the years 97/98. What he does not know, he will find out here that he is the new emperor. And this helps Cologne to an unprecedented upswing. For a few months, Cologne becomes the residence city of the Roman Empire. With Trajan, a golden age for Cologne begins that would last for 150 years.

In this episode, we get a brief overview of how the Romans ruled ancient Cologne. Chronologically, the episode is not firmly docked to a date. In the context of our podcast so far, however, it describes political Cologne at the end of the 1st century AD, several decades after Vitellius and the Batavian Revolt. The Roman rule is consolidated and the Romans finally acknowledge in 85 AD that they will not conquer the Rhine side on the right bank of the Rhine. A good time to take a closer look at the political system of ancient Cologne and its surroundings. Especially the city senate, the high government offices of the city, and the governor will be examined more closely.

This fits well because in the next episode we will talk about the great Roman Trajan, who becomes governor of Cologne here in 98 AD. There he will be surprised to learn that he has become the new emperor. In contrast to Vitellius, however, in a completely legal way. But Trajan is, as already mentioned, the subject of the next episode.

How did young Roman Cologne function: Let's take a look at Cologne's long and high efficient waterline and massive stone wall. Being 95 kilometers/60 miles long, Roman Cologne's was the longest waterline in Europe north of the Alpes. It would transport 20 Mio. Liters of water into that city every day. Cologne's Roman city wall was so mighty that it was used for 1,100 years. And still, it is used in many parts of the city. Especially the Roman watchtowers. Learn more about these fascinating structures in this episode of The History of Cologne Podcast.

The Batavian revolt in the Gallic-Germanic border region in 69 CE has a tight grip over Cologne. The Roman rule is gone for the moment. This episode all these events of this conflict will unfold right in front of Cologne’s doorstep and soon, inside its city walls. Will Cologne prevail? Or will Cologne be crushed between the rebels and the Romans? For one thing, it is certain: the Empire will strike back. It will get messy, believe me! More Info and Links to this podcast: linktr.ee/thofCGN

DISCLAIMER: I am sorry, for the bad sound compared to earlier episodes. I was still experimenting with my mic settings. Next will be better. Promise!
CONTENT: Cologne is in turmoil in the Year of the Four Emperors in 69 CE. Agrippina is dead, so is now her son, emperor Nero. Who will become the new Roman emperor? Four men throw their hats into the ring. One of them is Vitellius, the Roman governor of Cologne. The consequences for Cologne as a border town are horrible. At the end of the year 69 CE, our young city is besieged by the Germanic tribe of the Batavians and fears total destruction. More Info and Links to this podcast: linktr.ee/thofCGN

„Roman Empress Agrippina was a monster, a murderer, seductive and ruthless“ that has been the verdict about her since the day she died in 59 CE. Is that true? Born 15 CE in Oppidum Ubiorum, today's Cologne, she will be the founder of ancient Cologne, promoting the young city like no other has ever before. More Info and Links to this podcast: linktr.ee/thofCGN

Dive into the founding phase of Cologne around the year 1 CE and explore how it was constructed as a satellite town. After the resettlement of the Ubii into the Cologne Lowland in around 19 BCE, the need for a central settlement is obvious. With the help of the Roman legions, the settlement of the Ubii „Oppidum Ubiorum“ is built. This settlement will turn out to be ancient Cologne. More Info and Links to this podcast: linktr.ee/thofCGN

The Rhineland around the years of 38-15 BCE. Caesar is dead. His adoptive son Augustus becomes the first Roman emperor. In his attemps to secure the eastern border of Gaul, that is adoptive father Caesar had conquered, he sends his best friend and son-in-law Agrippa. There, Agrippa comes up with a plan and by doing that he will initiate the founding of Cologne in 19 BCE. More Info and Links to this podcast: linktr.ee/thofCGN

Roman general and later dictator Gaius Julius Caesar is the first human ever to write about the Cologne Lowland. When Caesar attacks and conquers Gaul in 59 BCE, he also fights Germanic tribes on the Rhine. There, he encounters a Germanic tribe, the Ubii. The Ubii will be very important for Cologne‘s history. More Info and Links to this podcast: linktr.ee/thofCGN