Location
In the past it was called the Traiani Forum. It’s located in the province of Oristano and was renowned for its baths that used a natural, healing hot water source. Its geographic position, wedged in between mountains and the Tirso Valley, natural entry from the flatlands of the interior and point of contact between the two different worlds, was quite important.
”Barbaric” Inscriptions
An inscription found testifies activity by the “civitates barbarie” (people from Barbaria), still alive in the I century B.C. In fact, it was they who dedicated the inscription to an Emperor, probably Tiberio, found in the Traiani Forum.
Importance
The antique name of the Traiani Forum indicates one of the principle reasons for its foundation; being a meeting point for peaceful commercial trade between the Roman people and those not yet under Roman rule and partially independent. This fact would also explain the Barbarian’s inscription dedicated to the Emperor.
The Baths and the Amphitheatre
Amongst the original reasons behind the settlement is the presence of a naturally heated and healing water source. Taking advantage of the springs, right close to the river, is a large thermal building (today it represents the nucleus of the archaeological area) characterized by a big pool, originally covered, in which the hot waters are moderated with the addition of cold water. The healing aspect of the baths is underlined by the discovery of two statues of the god Bes, divinity tied to health. Their importance is emphasized by the recent finding of a small, sacred space dedicated to nymphs, divinities of water.
The amphitheatre was found in an area towards the end of the urban settlement, close to the Necropolis from late ancient, early Medieval times and on which the church of St. Lussorio was built in the XI century.
