Alpes Maritimae

Alpes Maritimae (meaning Maritime Alps) was a Roman Province which controlled the Maddalena Pass in the Alps.

Pre-Roman history:
- Dominated by the Ligurian tribes who controlled East West movement along the coast.
Acquisition by Rome:
- 14 BCE Ligurian Tribes finally defeated under Augustus.
After Augustus’ reconstituted the Republic into an Empire (27 BCE)
- Alpes Maritimae became part of the ‘Tres Alpes’ (The Three Alps) Provinces, along with Alpes Cottiae and Alpes Poenninae.
Timeline of this Province:
After the Reforms of Diocletian (295 CE):
- 297 CE Capital moved to Embrun (Ebrodunum) (Alpes Maritimes)
After the death of Theodosius (395 CE) and the final split into Eastern Empire and Western Empire:
Famous Persons from this Province:
Chief Archeological Finds:
- La Turbie, the Trophy of Augustus or Trophy of the Alps.
- Cemenelum in Nice.

Capital City:
- Cemenelum (Cimiez district of Nice, France)
- Embrun (Ebrodunum) after 297 CE.
Chief Cities:
- Nice (Nicaea), Antibes (Antipolis), Monaco (Portus Herculis Monaeci), Salinae (Castellane), Senez (Sanitium).
- After 297 CE:
- Briancon (Brigantio), Brianconnet (Brigomagus), Barcelonnette (Rigomagnesium), Embrun (Civitas Ebrodunensium), La Turbie (Trophy of Augustus).
Location Today:
- Alpes Maritimes, France.
Neighbouring Roman Provinces:
- Alpes Cottiae (North) Regio IX, Liguria, Italia (East) Gallia Narbonensis (West).
Climate and Temperature Today:
- Mediterranean Climate along the coast.
- Snow: in the Mountains from November to May.
- Temperatures: Daytime: January 6°C, August up to 28°C.
- Rainfall: same rainfall as the Paris area but infrequent and torrential when it does rain.
- Winds: gentle sea breezes. Occasionally the Mistral will blow from the Northwest or even the East.
Main Rivers:
- River Vintium (Vance) R. Roya, R. Var, (R. Verdon in France).
- Stura di DeMonte and other tributaries of the Tanaro and Po in Italy.
Mountain Ranges and Passes:
- Maddalena Pass
- The Maritime Alpes are separated from the Cottian Alpes to the North by the Maddalena Pass, and from the Ligurian Alpes to the East by the Col de Tende.
Islands: None

Legions:
Nice (Cimiez)
- Cohors I Ligurum et Hispanorum (from c. 14-70 CE)
- Auxiliary Alpine Regiment (during the 1st century CE it merged with a Spanish unit).
- Moved to Niedenberg, Germania Superior (between 116-134 CE).
- Alpine regiments usually contained the tribal name in their title, hence ‘Ligurum’ (Ligurian)
Navy: None
Defensive Works:
- The Passes
Main Threats:
- Entry point for hostile Legions to march on Rome in times of Civil War.

Roads:
- Maddalena Pass (6,545 ft or 1995m):
  - Between Barcelonnette and Cuneo.
- Via Aurelia
  - the coastal road, from Rome, connecting to the Via Domitia at Arles, and on to Spain.
- Via Julia Augusta:
  - Merging, under Augustus in 13 BCE, of the Via Aemilia Scaura and the Via Postumi from Piacenza (Placentia) to the Triumphal Arch at La Turbie. It then continued to Arles as the Via Aurelia
Waterways:
Ports:
- Nice (Nicaea), Antibes (Antipolis), Monaco (Portus Herculis Monaeci).
Ancient Trade Routes:
- Overland route from Italy to Spain.
Number of Days taken to travel from this Province to Rome:

Part of the ‘Tres Alpes’ (The Three Alps)
- meaning the three Alpine Provinces of Rome: Alpes Cottiae, Alpes Marittimae and Alpes Poenninae.
A Defensive Province guarding one of the ancient invasion routes into Italia.
Prior to extending the Via Aurelia in 13 BCE after conquering the Maritime tribes, travel to Hispania had to be further North via the Mont Genevre Pass and then down the Via Domitia.

Maddalena Pass, France