Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

La basílica de «Contributa Iulia» (Medina de las Torres, Badajoz)

2014; Ediciones Universidad de Salamanca; Volume: 74; Linguagem: Inglês

10.14201/zephyrus201474181201

2386-3943

Pedro Mateos Cruz, Antonio Pizzo,

Historical Studies of Medieval Iberia

In this paper we address the study of the most emblematic building of the forum of the Roman town of Contributa Iulia: the judiciary basilica. Its good state of preservation and the exhaustive recording of its architectural plan make possible an accurate knowledge of the structure, building tech niques and its double architectural order. Stands out as two singular building elements the existence of a semicircular apse on the south side, and a cryptoporticus occupying the basement floor, building solution adopted in order to solve topographical problems derived from the location of the town in a hillside. Taking into account these characteristics, we must emphasize its early chronology of execution –in the time of Claudius–, as is clear from the data provided by the ceramic materials appeared in the building stratigraphical contexts and the characteristics of its architectural decoration. In the last section of the paper we analyze the building in the framework of the Contributa forum urbanism, suggesting a tripartite scheme for this public space.