Editing Mainz (section)

===Roman Mogontiacum===
{{Main|Roman Mogontiacum}}
[[File:Stadttor1.jpg|thumb|right|Remains of a Roman town gate from the late 4th century]]
The Roman stronghold or ''[[castrum]] '''Mogontiacum''''', the precursor to Mainz, was founded by the Roman general [[Nero Claudius Drusus|Drusus]] perhaps as early as 13/12 BC. As related by [[Suetonius]] the existence of ''Mogontiacum'' is well established by four years later (the account of the death and funeral of [[Nero Claudius Drusus]]).<!--{{efn|The earliest certain evidence of the existence of ''Mogontiacum'' is the account of the death and funeral of [[Nero Claudius Drusus]], brother of the future emperor, [[Tiberius]], given in [[Suetonius]]' life of Drusus. Few leaders have been as loved and as popular as Drusus. He fell from his horse in 9 BC, contracted gangrene and lingered for several days. His brother Tiberius reached him in just a few days riding post-horses over the Roman roads and served as the chief mourner, walking with the deceased in a funeral procession from the summer camp where he had fallen to Mogontiacum, where the soldiers insisted on a funeral. The body was transported to Rome, cremated in the [[Campus Martius]] and the ashes placed in the [[Mausoleum of Augustus]], who was still alive, and wrote poetry and delivered a state funeral oration for him. If Drusus founded Mogontiacum the earliest date is the start of his campaign, 13 BC. Some hypothesize that Mogontiacum was constructed at one of two earlier opportunities, one when [[Marcus Agrippa]] campaigned in the region in 42 BC or by [[Julius Caesar]] himself after 58 BC. Lack of evidence plays a part in favouring 13 BC. No sources cite Mogontiacum before 13 BC, no legions are known to have been stationed there, and no coins survive.{{Cite quote|intermediate source needs cited |date=August 2010}}}}--> [[File:The Cenotaph of Drusus (Drususstein), an empty tomb raised by Roman troops in 9 AD in honour of the deceased general Drusus, Mogontiacum (Mainz) (9739245693).jpg|thumb|left|upright|The Drusus monument or [[Drususstein]] (surrounded by the 17th-century citadel) raised by the troops of [[Nero Claudius Drusus]] to commemorate him]]

[[File:Römersteine 15.JPG|thumb|Remains of the [[Roman aqueduct]] of Mogontiacum]]
Mogontiacum was an important military town throughout Roman times, probably due to its strategic position at the confluence of the Main and the Rhine.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dumont |first=Stefan |title=Mogontiacum |website=Mainz als römische Militärbasis |url=http://www.festung-mainz.de/geschichte/roemer.html |language=de |access-date=30 January 2023 |archive-date=30 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130222835/http://www.festung-mainz.de/geschichte/roemer.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The town of ''Mogontiacum'' grew up between the fort and the river. The castrum was the base of [[Legio XIV Gemina|Legio XIV ''Gemina'']] and [[Legio XVI Gallica|XVI ''Gallica'']] (AD 9–43), [[Legio XXII Primigenia|XXII ''Primigenia'']], [[Legio IV Macedonica|IV ''Macedonica'']] (43–70), [[Legio I Adiutrix|I ''Adiutrix'']] (70–88), [[Legio XXI Rapax|XXI ''Rapax'']] (70–89), and [[Legio XIV Gemina|XIV ''Gemina'']] (70–92), among others. Mainz was also a base of a Roman river fleet, the [[Classis Germanica]]. Remains of Roman troop ships ([[navis lusoria]]) and a patrol boat from the late 4th century were discovered in 1982/86 and may now be viewed in the [[Museum of Ancient Seafaring]]. A temple dedicated to [[Isis|Isis Panthea]] and [[Cybele|Magna Mater]] was discovered in 2000<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.livius.org/articles/place/mogontiacum-mainz/mogontiacum-mainz-photos/mainz-temple-of-isis/ |title=Mainz, Temple of Isis – Livius |website=www.livius.org |access-date=26 March 2020 |archive-date=26 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126094326/https://www.livius.org/articles/place/mogontiacum-mainz/mogontiacum-mainz-photos/mainz-temple-of-isis/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and is open to the public. The city was the provincial capital of [[Germania Superior]], and had an important funeral monument dedicated to Drusus, to which people made pilgrimages for an annual festival from as far away as [[Lyon]]. Among the famous buildings were the largest [[Roman Theatre (Mainz)|theatre]] north of the Alps and a bridge across the Rhine. The city was also the site of the assassination of emperor [[Severus Alexander]] in 235.

[[Alemanni]] forces under [[Rando (king)|Rando]] sacked the city in 368. From the last day of 405<ref>Michael Kulikowski, "Barbarians in Gaul, Usurpers in Britain" ''Britannia'' '''31''' (2000:325–345).</ref> or 406, the Siling and Asding [[Vandals]], the [[Suebi]], the [[Alans]], and other Germanic tribes [[Crossing of the Rhine|crossed the Rhine]], possibly at Mainz. Christian chronicles relate that the bishop, [[Aureus of Mainz|Aureus]], was put to death by the Alemannian Crocus.<ref name="Catholic Answers-2018">{{cite web |title=Mainz |website=Catholic Answers |date=19 November 2018 |url=https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/mainz |access-date=30 January 2023 |archive-date=30 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130224352/https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/mainz |url-status=live }}</ref>

Throughout the changes of time, the Roman castrum never seems to have been permanently abandoned as a military installation, which is a testimony to Roman military judgement. Different structures were built there at different times. The current citadel originated in 1660, but it replaced previous forts. It was used in World War II. One of the sights at the citadel is still the [[cenotaph]] raised by legionaries to commemorate their general, [[Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus|Drusus]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Dumont |first=Stefan |title=Drususstein |website=Festung Mainz |url=http://www.festung-mainz.de/zitadelle/rundgang/drususstein.html |language=de |access-date=30 January 2023 |archive-date=30 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130222834/http://www.festung-mainz.de/zitadelle/rundgang/drususstein.html |url-status=live }}</ref>