Raetian Limes

• The Raetian Limes, also known as the Limes Germanicus, were a series of Roman fortifications in Germany. They are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• They extended east from Lorch to Kelheim and linked with the Danube.

Description

• Unlike the other sections protected by a river, the Raetian Limes was an overland route vulnerable to an invasion and for that reason it was the most heavily defended section.
• It consisted of a ditch and embankment with a solid stone wall and was built in a straight line up to the Danube. A series of watchtowers and forts then defended the wall.
• Behind the main wall were additional walls and forts to create a deep zone to make it difficult for a Germanic army to cross.

Three Sections

• The Raetian Limes consisted of three sections:
  • The Lower Germanic Limes
    • along the Rhine from the North Sea at Katwijk to Rheinbrohl.
  • The Upper Germanic Limes
    • from Rheinbrohl across the Taunus mountains to the river Main. Down the Main to Miltenberg. Then overland to Lorch.
  • The Raetian Limes
    • from Lorch to the Danube.

Agri Decumates

• This was a Romanised area between the Rhine and the Danube protected by the Upper Germanic and Raetian Limes. Very little is known about this area.
• The area was abandoned under Gallienus (259-60 CE) and Roman rule officially ended after Probus (276-282 CE).

Lorch