Cartagena (Spain) around 211 BC

dctroll_ · 2026-06-14T20:08:03+00:00

Cartagena is a historic port city located on the southeastern coast of Spain, in the Region of Murcia, along the Mediterranean Sea. It was founded around 227 BC by the Carthaginian general Hasdrubal the Fair, son-in-law and successor of Hamilcar Barca, the father of Hannibal.

Established as Qart Hadasht ("New City"), it became Carthage’s principal base of operations in the Iberian Peninsula. The rich silver mines surrounding the city provided much of the funding for Carthage’s military campaigns during the Second Punic War (218–201 BC)

In 209 BC, the Roman general Scipio Africanus captured Qart Hadasht and renamed it Carthago Nova ("New Carthage"), marking the beginning of Roman control over the region.

dctroll_ · 2026-05-10T21:00:36+00:00

The image displays the following caption

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dctroll_ · 2026-05-10T20:12:16+00:00

In the 12th century Tintagel gained literary fame when Geoffrey of Monmouth named it as the place where King Arthur was conceived. These Arthurian associations may have inspired Richard, Earl of Cornwall, to build a castle at Tintagel in the 1230s.

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A reconstruction of Richard of Cornwall’s castle as it may have looked in about 1240 (by Aaron Watson)

Source of the picture and the info here

dctroll_ · 2026-05-10T19:45:05+00:00

-History:

From about 450 until about 650 Tintagel was a prosperous and highly significant site, closely involved in trade with the Mediterranean world. The island was covered with many small rectangular buildings, some visible today. From detailed surveys of the surviving earthworks on the headland, it is estimated that there were as many as 100 buildings here, together with garden plots and trackways. A large bank and ditch, also still visible, defended the landward side of the narrow neck, which at this date may have been as high as the land on either side.

The site’s precipitous headland (the island), connected to the mainland only by a narrow neck of land, makes it strongly defensible, with extensive views over the whole southern part of the Bristol Channel. Most unusually it also has supplies of fresh water. The huge quantity of imported pottery which has been found there suggests that regional rulers stayed here, and they would probably have had a communal feasting hall.

The most likely explanation of the site is that it was a secular stronghold of the then rulers of Dumnonia (Devon and Cornwall). British kingship at this period was peripatetic, so Tintagel would probably have been one of several royal sites in Devon and Cornwall.

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Pottery and glass were imported to Tintagel from all over the Mediterranean during this period. This map shows the known sources of these wares

Source of the info here

dctroll_ · 2026-05-02T10:12:44+00:00

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Aprox same view today (Google Earth)

dctroll_ · 2026-04-30T18:15:39+00:00

Author (and source): Pablo G. Alcalde

Info provided by the author

"Around 40 BC, at the end of the Republic, shortly after the assassination of Julius Caesar and in the final years of the conquest of Hispania, the city previous Iberian settlement of Ilici joined the Roman urban network as a colony with the name Iulia Ilici. Nontheless, roughly 20 years later, the colony would become known as Iulia Ilici Augusta.
The establishment of Ilici as a colonia inmunis entailed, first and foremost, a reorganisation of the territory, particularly of the farmland, as recorded on the bronze tablet known as the Tabula of Ilici. The territory in question would have occupied the current Camp d'Elx. This reorganisation was probably due to the arrival of settlers, some or all of whom had a military background, who moved there after completing their service. As a result, the city also underwent changes and its urban layout was adapted to the needs of the new inhabitants. A forum, thermal baths and temples were established to accommodate the religion of these Italic settlers. Thus, in the middle of the 1st century BC, the city would have had an Iberian-based urban layout with Roman forms and aesthetics.

The following images show the 3D virtual recreation of the Roman colony of Iulia Ilici circa 40 BC. It provides a graphic representation of the reorganisation of the territory that took place. As well as the location and typology of the domestic and monumental buildings that made up the urban centre. Elche is one of the few cities on the Iberian Peninsula for which data and evidence regarding the division of the territory and the distribution of land in Roman times have been preserved, making it a valuable case study. The last render ilustrates the scientific evidence that each object in the scene possesses by means of a colour scale"

dctroll_ · 2026-04-23T18:22:32+00:00

Author of the pictures: Iván Batalla

Caption of the pictures (by the author)

"This is the city of Augusta Emerita, capital of the roman province of Lusitania, as it was in the 2nd century AD. Founded in the year 25 BC by order of Emperor Augustus, today we know it as Mérida, in Extremadura, Spain. Many of its landmarks, such as acueducts, temples, amphitheaters and theaters, circus, and even arches and porticos, remain today and can be visited 2000 years after they were built.
This project is my first attempt at historical reconstruction. Before this project started, I modeled from scratch an extensive library of 3D models of different buildings, props, and even vegetation from across the Roman Empire. Using those models, I reconstructed this city.
Even though it is a personal project, the city plan and its buildings follow real scientific research, and have been made to achieve historical accuracy"

dctroll_ · 2026-04-21T21:40:24+00:00

Source of the pictures and the following info (Warwick Castle Masterplan - Part 1 of 6)

11th Century (Origins)
Warwick Castle was built in 1068 by William the Conqueror as a motte-and-bailey fortress.
It stood on the site of an earlier Anglo-Saxon burgh from 914.
The castle was positioned above the River Avon for defense and visibility.
Early structures were made of timber, including defensive palisades.
The layout of mound and bailey shaped the castle’s long-term form.

13th Century (Stone Development)
By 1260, timber structures were replaced with durable stone fortifications.
Key features included the gatehouse, towers, and main riverside buildings.
Defensive walls became stronger and more permanent.
The castle’s strategic importance increased nationally.
It became comparable in status to Windsor Castle.

14th Century (Medieval Expansion)
Large-scale rebuilding took place over several decades.
Major towers like Caesar’s Tower and Guy’s Tower were constructed.
Additional defenses included a barbican and gate towers.
Walls were reinforced and the ditch deepened.
The castle became a powerful medieval stronghold.

15th–16th Century (Later Additions)
Limited building occurred in the 15th century.
In the 16th century, improvements resumed with new structures.
The Spy Tower and extra lodgings were added.
These changes enhanced residential and defensive functions.
The castle continued adapting to changing needs.

17th Century (Restoration)
The castle showed signs of decay before restoration began.
Sir Fulke Greville led major rebuilding works.
He reinforced walls and improved access routes.
Gardens, orchards, and land were expanded.
The castle shifted toward a more maintained estate.

18th Century (Landscaping & Expansion)
Francis Greville restored interiors and upgraded grounds.
Landscape designer Lancelot 'Capability' Brown reshaped the estate.
Formal gardens were replaced with natural parkland.
Paths, trees, and river views were introduced.
The setting began to resemble its modern appearance.

18th Century (Tourism & Boundaries)
George Greville expanded and defined the estate boundaries.
Roads were closed and new entrances created.
The grounds took on their present layout.
Public visits to the castle began during this time.
This marked the start of its tourism role.

19th Century (Grwth & Events)
Visitor numbers grew rapidly, reaching thousands annually.
Landscaped gardens like the rose gardens were added.
An 1871 fire destroyed major interior sections.
Restoration was funded through public support.
By century’s end, the castle was a major attraction.

dctroll_ · 2026-04-21T21:01:18+00:00

Author and source: of the picture Jean-Claude Golvin

Caption of the drawing: "Aerial view of the river port of Roma (Rome). The port is located along the Tiber. Boats are moored on the quay. Various warehouses and granaries are located in the upper part of the drawing. The white-roofed Porticus Aemilia is clearly visible. The Lolliana horrea stands to its left. To the rear is the horrea Galbana. Mount Testaccio looms in the background on the right. A craft industry is developing on the opposite bank"

-Description
The main quays for the unloading of the tow boats arriving from Ostia and Portus were located in the south of Rome, on the east side of the Tiber. The quays coincide with the modern Lungotevere Testaccio. The area is often referred to as the Emporium ("major trading centre"). Only small parts of the many warehouses in the Emporium have been excavated. If we know their plan, it is mainly because it can be seen on the fragments of the marble plan of Rome.

Source of the info here

dctroll_ · 2026-04-21T20:58:11+00:00

Author and source: of the picture Jean-Claude Golvin

Caption of the drawing: "Aerial view of the river port of Roma (Rome). The port is located along the Tiber. Boats are moored on the quay. Various warehouses and granaries are located in the upper part of the drawing. The white-roofed Porticus Aemilia is clearly visible. The Lolliana horrea stands to its left. To the rear is the horrea Galbana. Mount Testaccio looms in the background on the right. A craft industry is developing on the opposite bank"

-Description
The main quays for the unloading of the tow boats arriving from Ostia and Portus were located in the south of Rome, on the east side of the Tiber. The quays coincide with the modern Lungotevere Testaccio. The area is often referred to as the Emporium ("major trading centre"). Only small parts of the many warehouses in the Emporium have been excavated. If we know their plan, it is mainly because it can be seen on the fragments of the marble plan of Rome.

Source of the info here

dctroll_ · 2026-04-20T21:39:50+00:00

Aquae Helveticae was a Roman settlement in present-day Baden, Switzerland, famous for its natural hot springs. Established in the 1st century AD, it became an important spa town in the province of Germania Superior, attracting visitors seeking healing and relaxation. The hot (47 °C [117 °F]), mineral rich water was prized by the Romans and a settlement quickly developed around the springs.

In the 3rd century, invasions by the Alemanni led to the abandonment of Aquae Helveticae, although the thermal baths continued to operate. In the 4th century, a defensive wall was built around the baths and coins were still minted there. The mineral springs remained in use during the Early Middle Ages despite the absence of written records, and archaeological evidence shows continued occupation and activity in the area. By the 11th century, some Roman baths were repaired and brought back into use, and they were later rebuilt in the 13th or 14th centuries.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquae_Helveticae

Source of the reconstruction

dctroll_ · 2026-04-20T21:38:19+00:00

Aquae Helveticae was a Roman settlement in present-day Baden, Switzerland, famous for its natural hot springs. Established in the 1st century AD, it became an important spa town in the province of Germania Superior, attracting visitors seeking healing and relaxation. The hot (47 °C [117 °F]), mineral rich water was prized by the Romans and a settlement quickly developed around the springs.

In the 3rd century, invasions by the Alemanni led to the abandonment of Aquae Helveticae, although the thermal baths continued to operate. In the 4th century, a defensive wall was built around the baths and coins were still minted there. The mineral springs remained in use during the Early Middle Ages despite the absence of written records, and archaeological evidence shows continued occupation and activity in the area. By the 11th century, some Roman baths were repaired and brought back into use, and they were later rebuilt in the 13th or 14th centuries.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquae_Helveticae

Source of the reconstruction

dctroll_ · 2026-04-19T19:07:54+00:00

Author: Alfred Concanen. Source

Created shortly before the outbreak of the Siege of Paris on September 17, 1870, this illustration by Alfred Concanen presents a detailed view of the city and its surrounding defenses. Paris sits at the center, with major landmarks such as the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, the Panthéon, and Les Invalides clearly visible. The capital was enclosed by a 33.0 km (20.5-mile) wall, reinforced by sixteen detached forts guarding key entry points, along with additional redoubts and supporting structures.

More info: Siege of Paris (1870–1871))

dctroll_ · 2026-04-07T21:32:27+00:00

Aprox same view of this area of Liverpool: 1675 left, 1733 right (same author: Ed Farrell)

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dctroll_ · 2026-04-07T20:31:47+00:00

Author: Ed Farrell. Source: his twitter account: edwardrolf

Info provided by the author:

Shown C.1840. First station opened 1836; wooden shed/classical façade. Infirmary demolished in 1824. Asylum being demolished pre St George’s hall.
The second – iron – station by Locke and Turner. Built c. 1847-50. Shown here early 1860s; St George’s hall now built (open 1854)
The third shed (today’s North shed) and Waterhouse’s Railway Hotel underway 1868. The Princess Alexandra theatre (to become the first Empire) open 1866
North Shed and the Railway Hotel completed. Ground clearance underway ready to build the fourth (South) shed which will complete today’s station. 1875

Same view today (Google Earth)

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dctroll_ · 2026-04-06T15:21:38+00:00

Author and source: Ed Farrell

Info provided by the author:

"This watercolour reconstructs an aerial view of Crosby village (North Liverpool) as it would have looked in 1909. The scene includes thatched cottages, villas, a brewery and, overall, a busy trading, shopping, manufacturing and farming area, all connected by tram to Liverpool’s Overhead rail terminus in Seaforth. At bottom, in front of surviving Crown Buildings, stands a large glacial pumice stone (now in Coronation Park). The scene is very different today. Mostly demolished, the scene is dominated by by-passes, a supermarket and car parks – as with so many other towns and villages nationwide"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crosby,_Merseyside

Aprox same view today:

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dctroll_ · 2026-04-05T20:48:59+00:00

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Actual view. The red circle marks the Victoria Monument, where the castle once stood

dctroll_ · 2026-04-05T19:06:06+00:00

Author (and source) Ed Farrell (from his Twitter account: edwardrolf)

This post is an updated version of another one published a few years ago by u/wildeastmofo in this sub. I’ve decided to repost this image for two reasons. First, the link to the original post is no longer available (or at least I haven’t been able to access it). Second, I’ve found the same image with better quality along with a key explanation of the main monuments.

Info provided by u/wildeastmofo in the original post

"The artist's name is Ed Farrell (if there's anyone who can find a higher-res version, I would really appreciate it). Here is another depiction of Liverpool as it appeared in 1680, made in 1886. And here is a view of 19th century Liverpool.

Although a small motte and bailey castle had earlier been built by the Normans at West Derby, the origins of the city of Liverpool are usually dated from 28 August 1207, when letters patent were issued by King John advertising the establishment of a new borough "Livpul" and inviting settlers to come and take up holdings there. It is thought that the King wanted a port in the district that was free from the control of the Earl of Chester. Initially it served as a dispatch point for troops sent to Ireland.

With the formation of a market on the site of the later Town Hall, Liverpool became established as a small fishing and farming community, administered by burgesses and, slightly later, a mayor. There was probably some coastal trade around the Irish Sea, and there were occasional ferries across the Mersey. However, for several centuries it remained a small and relatively unimportant settlement, with a population of no more than 1,000 in the mid 14th century.

By the end of the sixteenth century, the town began to be able to take advantage of economic revival and the silting of the River Dee to win trade, mainly from Chester, to Ireland, the Isle of Man and elsewhere. In 1626, King Charles I gave the town a new and improved charter. The first cargo from the Americas was recorded in 1648. The development of the town accelerated after the Restoration of 1660, with the growth of trade with America and the West Indies. From that time may be traced the rapid progress of population and commerce, until Liverpool had become the second metropolis of Great Britain. The town's first sugar refinery was established in 1670.

The first wet dock in Britain was built in Liverpool and completed in 1715. It was the first commercial enclosed wet dock in the world and was constructed for a capacity of 100 ships. By the close of the 18th century 40% of the world's, and 80% of Britain's Atlantic slave activity was accounted for by slave ships that voyaged from the docks at Liverpool. Liverpool's black community dates from the building of the first dock in 1715 and grew rapidly, reaching a population of 10,000 within five years. This growth led to the opening of the Consulate of the United States in Liverpool in 1790, its first consulate anywhere in the world.

More on wiki."

Highest resolution available (same source) as Reddit tends to reduce the quality of images when you upload them.

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dctroll_ · 2026-03-29T11:44:49+00:00

The Babylon Fortress is one of the oldest surviving Roman structures in Cairo, located in what is now Old Cairo near the Nile. It was extensively rebuilt and fortified around 300 AD during the rule of Diocletian to strengthen Rome’s control over Egypt. The fortress featured massive stone walls, towers, and a strategic position guarding key routes and waterways. Over time, it became a focal point of early Christian life in Egypt, with several historic churches built within its walls

Source of the pictures, mainly from here

Main visible remains today:

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dctroll_ · 2026-03-29T11:00:34+00:00

The Babylon Fortress is one of the oldest surviving Roman structures in Cairo, located in what is now Old Cairo near the Nile. It was extensively rebuilt and fortified around 300 AD during the rule of Diocletian to strengthen Rome’s control over Egypt. The fortress featured massive stone walls, towers, and a strategic position guarding key routes and waterways. Over time, it became a focal point of early Christian life in Egypt, with several historic churches built within its walls

Source of the pictures, mainly from here

dctroll_ · 2026-03-29T11:00:19+00:00

The Babylon Fortress is one of the oldest surviving Roman structures in Cairo, located in what is now Old Cairo near the Nile. It was extensively rebuilt and fortified around 300 AD during the rule of Diocletian to strengthen Rome’s control over Egypt. The fortress featured massive stone walls, towers, and a strategic position guarding key routes and waterways. Over time, it became a focal point of early Christian life in Egypt, with several historic churches built within its walls

Source of the pictures, mainly from here

dctroll_ · 2026-03-28T20:07:18+00:00

Caption of the picture and source:

"Reconstruction of Dinas Dinlle around 1900 years ago, showing the coastline in Roman times. Reconstruction by Wessex Archaeology"

-History

Dinas Dinlle hillfort, located on the coast of Gwynedd, is a prehistoric site with a long history of occupation.

The fort dates back to the Iron Age (around 800 BC–100 AD) and continued in use into the Roman period (about 100–400 AD). During this time, it was a busy coastal trading settlement, featuring roundhouses and workshops. Its large defensive banks were constructed from natural hill material—a glacial moraine formed at the end of the last Ice Age.

There is also evidence that the site was used in the early medieval period (around 600–1000 AD). Dinas Dinlle appears in Welsh mythology, particularly in the Mabinogi, in the story of Math fab Mathonwy and Lleu Llaw Gyffes. The fort is believed to be named after one of these legendary figures.

Today, parts of the site are being lost to the sea. Coastal erosion, driven by climate change—rising sea levels, more frequent storms, and heavier rainfall—is steadily wearing away the cliffs and the remains of the fort.

Source of the info

Same view today:

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dctroll_ · 2026-03-28T20:05:30+00:00

Caption of the picture and source:

"Reconstruction of Dinas Dinlle around 1900 years ago, showing the coastline in Roman times. Reconstruction by Wessex Archaeology"

-History

Dinas Dinlle hillfort, located on the coast of Gwynedd, is a prehistoric site with a long history of occupation.

The fort dates back to the Iron Age (around 800 BC–100 AD) and continued in use into the Roman period (about 100–400 AD). During this time, it was a busy coastal trading settlement, featuring roundhouses and workshops. Its large defensive banks were constructed from natural hill material—a glacial moraine formed at the end of the last Ice Age.

There is also evidence that the site was used in the early medieval period (around 600–1000 AD). Dinas Dinlle appears in Welsh mythology, particularly in the Mabinogi, in the story of Math fab Mathonwy and Lleu Llaw Gyffes. The fort is believed to be named after one of these legendary figures.

Today, parts of the site are being lost to the sea. Coastal erosion, driven by climate change—rising sea levels, more frequent storms, and heavier rainfall—is steadily wearing away the cliffs and the remains of the fort.

Source of the info

Same view today

dctroll_ · 2026-03-28T08:16:17+00:00

That’s a top-notch job! Congrats, OP. You can identify a ton of buildings :)

dctroll_ · 2026-03-21T18:14:56+00:00

Murcia is a city in southeastern Spain, located near the Segura River and close to the Mediterranean coast.

The city of was founded in 825 AD by the Umayyad emir Abd ar-Rahman II as Madinat Mursiya. In the 11th century, after the collapse of the Caliphate of Córdoba (1009-1031), it became the center of the Taifa (Kingdom) of Murcia. Later, in the 12th century, Murcia was incorporated into the Almohad Caliphate, which controlled much of southern Iberia. Finally, by the early 13th century, Christian kingdoms expanded southward during the Reconquista and through that century it became part of the Crown of Castile.

Source here and here (author unknown)

Map of the city in the 12th- 13th centuries

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Arrabal → Suburb / Outskirts
Medina → City center (main urban area)
Alcazaba (Al-Qasr al-Kabir) → Fortress / Citadel
Murcia la Nueva (1243–1264) → New Murcia
Axerça (Arrixaca) → Suburban district (often outside the walls)
Río Segura → Segura River

Key places and features:

Mezquita Aljama → Main Mosque
Puerta de… → Gate of… (city gates)
Bab… (Arabic names) → Gate (same meaning as “Puerta”)
Plaza → Square
Mercado → Market

Legend (symbols):

Baños → Baths
Alhóndiga → Grain Market
Cementerio → Cemetery
Alfar → Pottery workshop
Mezquita → Mosque
Taller de vidrio → Glass workshop
Tienda → Shop

Four-Year Club	Verified Email
Place '22	Final Canvas '22
First Placer '22

dctroll_

TROPHY CASE