Roman Theater

Mérida is the capital of the autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain. It is situated in the province of Badajoz and has a population of 50,780 (2002). Spains fifty provinces (provincias) are grouped into seventeen autonomous communities (comunidades autónomas), in addition to two African autonomous cities (ciudades autónomas) (Ceuta and Melilla). ... Capital Mérida Area  â€“ Total  â€“ % of Spain Ranked 5th  41 634 km²  8,2% Population  â€“ Total (2003)  â€“ % of Spain  â€“ Density Ranked 13th  1 073 050  2,6%  25,77/km² Demonym  â€“ English  â€“ Spanish  â€”  extremeño/a, castúo Statute of Autonomy February 26... In addition to its seventeen autonomous communities, Spain is divided into fifty provinces. ... Badajoz is a province of western Spain, in the southern part of the autonomous community of Extremadura. ...

History

It was founded in the year 25 BC, with the name of Emerita Augusta (the name Mérida is a corruption of this) by order of Emperor Augustus, to protect a pass and a bridge over the Guadiana river. Two veteran legions were the former settlers: V Alaudae and X Gémina. The city became the capital of Lusitania province, and one of the most important cities in the Roman empire. Mérida preserves more important ancient Roman monuments than any other city in Spain; because of this, the "Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida" is a World Heritage site. Centuries: 2nd century BC - 1st century BC - 1st century Decades: 70s BC 60s BC 50s BC 40s BC 30s BC - 20s BC - 10s BC 0s 10s 20s 30s Years: 30 BC 29 BC 28 BC 27 BC 26 BC 25 BC 24 BC 23 BC 22 BC 21 BC 20... Bust of Augustus Caesar Augustus redirects here. ... A log bridge A bridge is a structure built to span a gorge, valley, road, railroad track, river, body of water, or any other physical obstacle. ... Guadiana (Latin Anas, Spanish Guadiana, Portuguese Guadiana) - one of the major rivers of Spain, part of it is the border with Portugal, ends in the Atlantic Ocean. ... The Roman legion (from the Latin legio, meaning levy) was the basic military unit of ancient Rome. ... Legio V Alaudae, the larks, sometimes known as Gallica, was levied by Julius Caesar in 52 BC from native Gauls. ... Legio X Gemina, the twin legion, was levied by Julius Caesar on 58 BC, for his invasion of Gaul. ... Roman province of Lusitania, 120 AD Lusitania, an ancient Roman province approximately including current Portugal (except for the area between the rivers Douro and Minho) and part of western current Spain (specifically the present autonomous community Extremadura), named after the Lusitani or Lusitanian people. ... Map of the Roman Empire, with the provinces, after 120 AD. In Ancient Rome, a province (Latin, provincia, pl. ... The Roman Empire is the term conventionally used to describe the Ancient Roman polity in the centuries following its reorganization under the leadership of Octavian (better known as Caesar Augustus), until its radical reformation in what was later to be known as the Byzantine Empire. ... The Romans adopted the external language of classical Greek architecture for their own purposes, which were so different from Greek buildings as to create a new architectural style. ... World Heritage Site #86: Memphis and its Necropolis, including the Pyramids of Giza (Egypt). ...

Sights

Among the remaining Roman monuments are the Puente Romano, a bridge over the Guadiana river that is still used by pedestrians; an important fortification to defend the bridge, lately used by the Moors, called Alcazaba; the Temple of Diana; the remains of the Forum, including the Arch of Trajan; the remains of the Circus Maximus; the Acueducto de los Milagros (aqueduct); a villa called the Mitreo; the Embalse de Proserpina and Cornalvo reservoirs; the Circus, the Amphitheatre and the Roman Theatre where a summer festival of Classical theatre is presented, usually with versions of Greco-Roman classics or modern plays located in ancient times. One can also visit the Morerías archaeological site and many others all around the city, and watch digging in progress, as well as the Museo Nacional de Arte Romano. Guadiana (Latin Anas, Spanish Guadiana, Portuguese Guadiana) - one of the major rivers of Spain, part of it is the border with Portugal, ends in the Atlantic Ocean. ... The Moors were the medieval Muslim inhabitants of al-Andalus (the Iberian Peninsula including the present day Spain and Portugal) and the Maghreb, whose culture is often called Moorish. // Origins of the name The name derives from the old tribe of the Mauri and their kingdom, Mauretania. ... Pont du Gard, France, a Roman era aqueduct circa 19 BC, it is one of Frances top tourist attractions at over 1. ... The Roman Empire contained many villas which were rather like country houses, though suburban villas on the edge of cities were known, such as the Middle and Late Republican villas that encroached on the Campus Martius, then on the edge of Rome, and which can be also seen outside the... There is also an asteroid 26 Proserpina and a character in Larry Nivens Known Space universe called Proserpina. ... The Big Top of Billy Smarts Circus Cambridge 2004. ... The name amphitheatre (alternatively amphitheater) is given to a public building of the Classical period (being particularly associated with ancient Rome) which was used for spectator sports, games and displays. ... Categories: Ancient Roman architecture | Theatre | Historical stubs ...

Miscellaneous

The cities of Mérida in Venezuela, capital of Mérida State, and Mérida in Yucatán, Mexico, were named after Mérida in Spain. A square in Mérida called the Glorieta de las Méridas del Mundo (Circle of the Méridas of the World) contains an obelisk commemorating the three sister cities. The Venezuelan city of Mérida is capital of the state of the same name, Mérida State. ... Mérida State Anthem Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1864 State capital Mérida Area 11,300 km² Population (2001 est. ... Cathedral on the Plaza Mayor, the oldest in North America [1]. Mérida is the capital city of the state of Yucatán, Mexico. ... Yucatán is the name of one of the 31 states of Mexico, located on the north of the Yucatán Peninsula. ...

External links

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Mérida, Spain