Brigantium

Brigantium was a Roman settlement located in what is now Bregenz, Austria, on the eastern shore of Lake Constance. It was founded as a military camp in the 1st century AD, likely around 15 AD, during the reign of Emperor Tiberius. Its strategic position at the confluence of important trade routes, both by land and water, made it a significant center for the Roman Empire in the region.

The settlement grew from a military outpost into a bustling civilian town, serving as a hub for trade and administration. Brigantium was part of the Roman province of Raetia. Archaeological excavations have uncovered remnants of Roman infrastructure, including roads, public buildings, a forum, and a temple. The presence of a Roman fleet on Lake Constance, based at Brigantium, further highlights its military and economic importance.

Brigantium played a role in the defense of the Roman Empire's northern frontiers. It was a staging point for military campaigns and a center for supplying troops. After the decline of the Western Roman Empire, the settlement continued to exist, though its Roman character gradually faded. The site of Brigantium is now within the modern Austrian city of Bregenz, where ongoing archaeological work continues to reveal more about its Roman past.