Augusta Emerita
This is the city of Augusta Emerita, capital of the roman province of Lusitania, as it was in the 2nd century AD. Founded in the year 25 BC by order of Emperor Augustus, today we know it as Mérida, in Extremadura, Spain. Many of its landmarks, such as acueducts, temples, amphitheaters and theaters, circus, and even arches and porticos, remain today and can be visited 2000 years after they were built.
This project is my first attempt at historical reconstruction. Before this project started, I modeled from scratch an extensive library of 3D models of different buildings, props, and even vegetation from across the Roman Empire. Using those models, I reconstructed this city.
Even though it is a personal project, the city plan and its buildings follow real scientific research, and have been made to achieve historical accuracy.
Main view of the roman city of Augusta Emerita, capital of the province of Lusitania.
The river at the bottom of the image is called Albarregas (Barraeca in roman times). The Acueduct of the Miracles, which still stands today, crosses this river.
The main river of the city is the Guadiana (called Anas in roman times).
View of the amphitheatre and theatre with the circus in the background. All of them are preserved in great condition today.
The colonial forum of the city. It's temple, known as Diana's Temple, is still standing 2000 years after its construction, although modified.
It's also debated if there was a second temple instead of an altar in the upper portico.
The provincial forum of the city. Its temple is made following the image of the Temple of Concord in Rome. The arch of the colosal gate, known as Arch of Trajan, is still standing today, with an imposing height of 15 meters.
The small dam that can be seen on the right bank of the river now serves as the foundation of the 9th century muslim fortress of the city.
This bridge over the Guadiana is the longest one in Spain, with almost 800 metres of length.
Almost orthographic view of the city, which makes it easier to appreciate its floor plan.
The acueduct near the circus is barely preserved today, with only a couple of arches. A newer one was built in the 16th century, which can be seen today near the roman one.
The defensive wall of the city was mostly used to protect it from small threats, and to declare a higher status for the city. Hispania was almost completely pacified when it was founded in the 25 BC.
A closer look at the circus and the acueduct near it.
Roman necropolis were placed outside of the city walls, near the roads and paths.
Another aerial view of the city.
Some researchers suggest that the colonial forum had two temples instead of a temple and an altar. This is how it would look like.