The Augusteum, College of the Imperial Augustinian cult, Cartagena Spain

 Cartagena Spain,  Augusteum

It may help to read the History of Cartagena before embarking on a visit to these Roman sites to really understand the scale of Cartagena and its importance within the Roman Empire. The History is broken down into four parts as it´s rather long, even when condensed. Click History of Cartagena

Roman Cartagena was a vibrant, busy port, exporting huge quantities of goods across the Roman Empire.

Esparto grass, an important product used for rope production and weaving, garum fish paste, a potent fish product manufactured in nearby Mazarron and along the coast,  salt produced in the salinas of the Mar Menor, grain produced on the flat plains of northern Murcia and vast quantities of lead and silver mined in the Cartagena hills.

If you want to see more about mining and lead production go to the Museo Arqueologico Municipal de Cartagena, where they have some excellent displays showing how mining was carried out in the region. 

Important buildings lined the streets, with a complex administrative , religious and social structure, centering on the forum, the hub of commercial and legislative life. 

Archaeologists have been able to ascertain very clearly what the layout was of the old roman city due to the excavations carried out to date and are positive that the building  now known as the Augusteum was at the north eastern edge of the original roman forum.

 This would have been surrounded by buildings pertaining to the judiciary system, legislative offices, colleges, spas , places of the Imperial cult and important administrative facilities. The forum was more than just a meeting place, it was the heart of the city, a symbol of what Roman greatness represented, a place of propaganda which asserted the structure and rigidity of the Roman system and a place where great display of loyalty and wealth controlled the politics of the ancient city.

Patrons dedicated sculpture and decoration to the city, making their contributions to the grandeur of this public building a statement of their own prestige and political ambition, and fragments uncovered attest to just how wealthy and impressive roman Cartagena would have been.

The first part of the display in the Augusteum is dedicated to explaining the function of the forum and showing how the forum in Cartagena would have been structured.

This building, the Augusteum,  was a combination of educational college (collegium) and a temple dedicated to the worship of the divinity of the Emperor Augustus.

The traditional Roman worship of the ancient Gods changed with the rule of Julius Caesar, who became known as the "divine Julius Caesar."

During his reign, the cult of his divinity spread throughout the Roman Empire, driven by the military, but supported by those who recognized that to support the cult and patronize it, was a way to curry favour with the emperor and throughout his reign the cult grew in importance and prestige. Following his assassination, the deification of members of the Imperial Family continued as many realized the propaganda potential of this deification, presenting the ruler of the empire as a divine being, and the widespread construction of schools and temples created many opportunities for those seeking to advance themselves.

This temple is dedicated to Augustus, his cult being organized by the college priests, flamens Augustales, a powerful organization who knew how to maximize the full extent of their power by theatrical pomp and intimidating displays of wealth and prestige.

Although just a ruin, traces can be seen of the splendour of this building, such as the stunning black and white marble chequered floor, quarried in the north of Murcia, and beautifully executed fragments of sculpture which show the quality of what would once have been on the site.

This is a strange museum to evaluate. The importance of this site is undeniable, yet there is very little to really see. Most of the value of what is here lies in the display boards, which give a fantastic insight into the structure of the ancient city, but sadly are only in Spanish, with no translation currently available.

There are 2 good boards showing the city structure with English translation which are very well done and interesting.

To assist visitors understanding of the site, an excellent audio visual presentation shows how the building would have appeared, and there are some fascinating exhibits in the display cases showing items of everyday life , with an exceptional case showing the upright tile caps , called antefijas arquitectonicas, which would capped the down runs on roof tiles.There is another really good example of these in the caravaca de la Cruz archaeological museum. They really are quite special from an interest pint of view, and for your editor, it was worth going to the museum just to have seen these.

Basic tourist info about the Augusteum, Cartagena Spain

Location : Calle Caballero,Cartagena,  very close to the Casa de Fortuna. From Casa de la Fortuna walk along Calle Caridad, and you will see a striking building which is the headquarters of the Romans and Carthaginians festival. Turn left down the passageway at the side of it and the Augusteum is on the left. 

CLICK HERE for map.

Opening Times :

From 21st April to 30th June, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 2.30pm

Semana Santa, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 2.30pm

From 1st July to 15th September, Tuesday- Sunday 10am-2.30pm, Mondays closed.

From 16th September to 4th November, Saturday and Sunday: 11am to 4pm.

From 5th November to 20 April , Closed for winter, only open for groups by pre-reservation.

Entry Fees  Normal 2.50, Groups, pensioners and under 12s 2 euros.

Disability Access

Access :  The site is underground and can only be accessed via stairs, although these  are wide and well lit.. Once downstairs there are ramps and the display area is flat and wheelchair accessible, but anyone with disability would have to be carried down and up. Apart from that, it is practical for those with limited mobility and there are seats and toilets available.