Argentomagus
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The Roman city of Argentomagus was located in the Mersans plateau, at the strategic point where a Roman bridge once traversed the River Creuse. The Latin name of the city meant "Silver Market." The modern city of Argenton takes its name from the ancient site of Argentomagus.
[edit] History
In pre-Roman and early-Roman occupation times, the site of Argentomagus was the home of the Bituriges tribe (their name meaning "kings of the world"). The Romans conquered the area circa 50 BCE. The city reached its peak during the Gallo-Roman period is the 2nd and 3rd century AD.
The cult of Mercury was popular among the inhabitants, who were active in metallurgical smelting and bronze-smithing. Other cult figures included the Earth Mother, Venus, warrior heroes and various local deities.
[edit] Archaeological Site and Museum
The archaeological site is of prime interest as it shows how the town evolved from a Gaulish settlement into a Roman town. Substantial areas of the ruins have been been excavated, including an amphitheatre, a Roman villa, a cemetery, a thermal spring. Unique finds have also been recovered, such as a circular altar pedestal. A local museum related to the site exists in Mersans.
[edit] Sources
- "Argentomagus : Oppidum gaulois" by Françoise Dumasy-Mathieu
- "Argentomagus": by Gerard Coulon
- "Le théâtre d'Argentomagus" (Saint-Marcel, Indre): by Françoise Dumasy
