PATAVIUM
(Padua) Veneto, Italy.
A city
of Cisalpine Gaul, probably founded by the Veneti. Rome
found in it a strong and faithful ally when, after the fall
of Taranto in 272 B.C., it turned to the N. Even during
the war with Hannibal, the city remained faithful, and
consequently was able to make a pact of foedus with the
Romans, promising protection in exchange for arms and
soldiers. The construction of the Via Annia took place
during the second half of the 2d c. A.D. It was a continuation of the Flaminia (Rome-Rimini) and the Popilia (Rimini-Adria) to Aquileia by way of Patavium.
In 59 B.C., before the arrival of Caesar, the historian
Titus Livius was born in Padova to an upper-class family
which enjoyed Roman citizenship. His loyal attachment
to his native city remained constant.
During the civil war, in spite of the many favors
granted it by Caesar, Patavium took the side of Pompey,
being the subject for this reason of the celebrated eulogy
of Cicero (
Phil. 12.4). But perhaps on account of Livy,
whom Augustus held dear, Patavium suffered little from
Pompey's defeat.
The city enjoyed a tranquil and industrious life for
nearly three centuries afterwards. It is not certain whether the city was touched by the invasions of Alaric (A.D.
400) and of Attila. It came under the domination of the
Goths, but remained in the territory of the Byzantine
Emperor Justinian when they attempted to reconquer
Italy. However, the city taken by the Lombards under
Agilulfo after a ferocious siege; the population, with its
bishop, sought refuge at Malamocco (Mathamaucus).
The development of Patavium was closely connected
with the two rivers that flow through it: The Medoacus
(today the Brenta), with a major and minor branch; and
the Retone or Etrone (today the Bacchiglione). Besides
the beautiful S. Lorenzo bridge, remains are preserved of
three other bridges: the Altinate, the Corvo, and the
Molin. Large traces of military installations are seen in
the topography of the surrounding countryside. Research
done at various sites between 1924 and 1932 in the
zone between the S. Lorenzo and Altinate bridges have
brought to light the structures of the river port including
docks, access ramps, and three markets.
There is no longer any trace of the other monuments
in which the city must have abounded, including the
forum, the capitolium, and the baths. The remains of the
amphitheater are meager, and noted now for the chapel
decorated by Giotto that was erected in the Curtivo
Arena. The foundations of the theater were discovered
in the 18th c. Traces of temples are lacking except for
those of a possible Mithraeum next to the apse of S.
Sofia.
At the Museo Civico is a collection of objects found
sporadically including mosaics, inscriptions, and a rich
series of stelai, partly of popular production and partly
examples of the so-called cult art. Examples of statuary
are few.
The earliest church, dedicated to S. Giustina, was
eulogized by Venanzio Fortunato in the 5th c. It dates
to the Early Christian age, though little of it remains.
There is an Early Christian hypogeum preserved below
a private house. It is in the form of a hall with several
rooms intended for services. Probably a hospitium, at the
edge of the city, it was destroyed by the Lombards under
Agilulfo.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
L. Micheletto, “L'oratorio paleocristiano
di Opilione,”
Palladio (1955) 268ff; R. Battaglia, “Dal
paleolitico alla civiltà atestina,”
Storia di Venezia I (1957) 77ff; R. Cessi, “Da Roma a Bisanzio,” ibid., 179ff; G.
Gasparotto,
Carta Archeologica, F. 50 (2d ed. 1959);
G. A. Mansuelli,
I Cisalpini (1962); F. Sartori, “Industria
e artigianato nel Veneto romano,”
Atti Dept. St. patria
delle Venezie (1964); G. Dei Fogolari, “Il Veneto romano,”
Arte e civiltà romana nell'Italia Settentrionale
(1965) 159ff; G. B. Pellegrini & A. L. Prosdocimi,
La
lingua venetica I & II (1967); L. Bosio,
Itinerari e strade
della Venetia romana (1970); G. A. Mansuelli, “Urbanistica e architettura della Cisalpina romana sino al III
sec. d. C.,”
Latomus 3 (1971).
B. FORLATI TAMARO
