Aquileia played a significant role in Roman military and political affairs. It was the base for numerous military campaigns against various tribes, such as the Germanic tribes, the Illyrians, and the Celts. In the 1st century AD, it was elevated to the status of a Roman municipium, which meant it gained greater autonomy and privileges under Roman law.

The city also became an important religious center. It was home to one of the earliest Christian communities in the Roman Empire. By the 4th century AD, Aquileia was an important episcopal see and became a center for early Christian teachings and pilgrimages. The Church of Aquileia was one of the most prominent in the Western world, and it played a key role in the spread of Christianity throughout the region.

Decline and Fall

The decline of Aquileia began in the late 4th and early 5th centuries AD. In 452 AD, the city was devastated by the Huns under Attila, marking a significant blow to its status. The destruction brought about by the Huns weakened the city's defenses and its infrastructure, and it never fully recovered its former glory.

In the following centuries, as the Western Roman Empire continued to fragment, Aquileia's importance diminished. The Lombards, a Germanic tribe, took control of the region in the 6th century, further contributing to the decline of the city. By the medieval period, Aquileia had become a small settlement and was eventually overshadowed by nearby Venice and other cities in the Veneto region. shutdown123