Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Theban Legion

After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the Vandals and the Visigoths ruled the area until in 711 the Arabs defeated the troops of Visigoth King Roderic in a battle near Jerez. In 1145 the Almohads conquered the city. In the 12th and 13th centuries, Jerez underwent a period of great development, building its defense system and setting the current street layout of the old town. In 1231 the Battle of Jerez took place. Christian troops under the command of Álvaro Pérez de Castro, grandson of Alfonso VII, defeated the troops of the Emir Ibn Hud. After a month-long siege in 1261, the city surrendered to Castile, but its Muslim population remained. It rebelled and was finally defeated in 1264. Today Jerez de la Frontera has well over 200,000 inhabitants. A plaque at the door of San Miguel´s facade is dated 1484. It is believed that the church was commissioned by the Catholic Monarchs when they visited the city in 1484. Its construction, however, would last several centuries resulting in a cathedral-like set with where latest Gothic elements and other ones typical of Renaissance and Baroque. Relics of the martyrs of the Theban Legion are kept in an 18th century reliquary. In the Middle Ages, the cult of this legion spanned all of Central Europe. The best-known member was the leader St. Mauritius. His remains are venerated in St. Maurice in Switzerland.

In the Magdeburg Cathedral is the oldest known image depicting Saint Maurice as a Moor ( = Mauritius). The statue is carved around 1250 and shows him as an armoured knight. It could well be, that this statue is the oldest picture of an ethnic African in Mid-Europe. St.. Maurice was a leader of the Theban Legion. Tradition tells, that the complete legion converted to Christianity within the 3rd century - and later got the title "Martyrs of Agaunum". As the soldiers refused to prosecute and punish fellow Christians, every tenth soldier got executed. This happened at least twice. Some places in Germany (Bonn, Cologne, Xanten, Trier) claim to be the place where these legionnaires were martyred. In the end, all soldiers of the Theban Legion were executed in Agaunum, nowadays named "Saint-Maurice" in Switzerland.

A legend tells, that San Costanzo a member of the Theban Legion was beheaded on this spot in 303. Later an oratory was erected over the site that got destroyed by the Saracens in the 10th century. San Costanzo al Monte was erected around 1190 probably by Lombard / Comacini masters. It got enlarged and remodelled a couple of times over the centuries. The current façade is from the 18th century, the same time the old tower got replaced by a new one. The church was locked, so that we could not see the old crypt and the capitals and frescoes of the interior.

A legend tells, that San Costanzo a member of the Theban Legion was beheaded on this spot in 303. Later an oratory was erected over the site that got destroyed by the Saracens in the 10th century. San Costanzo al Monte was erected around 1190 probably by Lombard / Comacini masters. It got enlarged and remodelled a couple of times over the centuries. The current façade is from the 18th century, the same time the old tower got replaced by a new one. The church was locked, so that we could not see the old crypt and the capitals and frescoes of the interior.

A legend tells, that San Costanzo a member of the Theban Legion was beheaded on this spot in 303. Later an oratory was erected over the site that got destroyed by the Saracens in the 10th century. San Costanzo al Monte was erected around 1190 probably by Lombard / Comacini masters. It got enlarged and remodelled a couple of times over the centuries. The current façade is from the 18th century, the same time the old tower got replaced by a new one. The church was locked, so that we could not see the old crypt and the capitals and frescoes of the interior.

The Romans built up a castrum around 15BC. Around 110 AD the town that had developed around the camp was given the rights of a colonia, that was named Colonia Ulpia Traiana. The colonia became the second most important commercial post in "Germania Inferior", surpassed only by Colonia Agrippinensis (Cologne). Today Xanten hosts one of the largest archaeological open air museums, built at the site of the Colonia Ulpia Traiana. The first christian buildings may have been oratorys built over a Roman graves. A first church existed 752. A convent developed. As it was believed to have found the graves of Saint Viktor and his companions, all members of the Theban Legion, the places was called "ad sanctos" from which the town´s name "Xanten" derived. The construction of a larger church started, but it got destroyed by Norman invaders, who had hibernated on a near island in the Rhine river, in 863. Bishop Folkmar of Cologne consecrated a new church here in the second half of the 10th century. This church was restored after fires in the 11th and 12th centuries. From 1128 a choir was erected, that was consecrated by Bishop Rainald von Dassel. Between 1180 and 1213 the western facade had been erected upto the third level. The erection of today´s church started in 1263. After 281 years of construction it was finally completed in 1544. St. Viktor, often named "Xantener Dom" ("Xanten Cathedral"), was the center of the convent, that developed to a city in the city. It was completely surrounded by a wall and could be entered only through two gates. The old crypt under the choir, where the relics of "the saints" were venerated over centuries was hit by a bomb during WWII. The crypt got rebuilt with a lot of concrete and now the victims of the Nazi terror is remembered here. Thousands were killed in the concentration camps "Bergen Belsen" and "Dachau".

The Romans built up a castrum around 15BC. Around 110 AD the town that had developed around the camp was given the rights of a colonia, that was named Colonia Ulpia Traiana. The colonia became the second most important commercial post in "Germania Inferior", surpassed only by Colonia Agrippinensis (Cologne). Today Xanten hosts one of the largest archaeological open air museums, built at the site of the Colonia Ulpia Traiana. The first christian buildings may have been oratorys built over a Roman graves. A first church existed 752. A convent developed. As it was believed to have found the graves of Saint Viktor and his companions, all members of the Theban Legion, the places was called "ad sanctos" from which the town´s name "Xanten" derived. The construction of a larger church started, but it got destroyed by Norman invaders, who had hibernated on a near island in the Rhine river, in 863. Bishop Folkmar of Cologne consecrated a new church here in the second half of the 10th century. This church was restored after fires in the 11th and 12th centuries. From 1128 a choir was erected, that was consecrated by Bishop Rainald von Dassel. Between 1180 and 1213 the western facade had been erected upto the third level. The erection of today´s church started in 1263. After 281 years of construction it was finally completed in 1544. St. Viktor, often named "Xantener Dom" ("Xanten Cathedral"), was the center of the convent, that developed to a city in the city. It was completely surrounded by a wall and could be entered only through two gates. The old crypt under the choir, where the relics of "the saints" were venerated over centuries was hit by a bomb during WWII. The crypt got rebuilt with a lot of concrete.

The Romans built up a castrum around 15BC. Around 110 AD the town that had developed around the camp was given the rights of a colonia, that was named Colonia Ulpia Traiana. The colonia became the second most important commercial post in "Germania Inferior", surpassed only by Colonia Agrippinensis (Cologne). Today Xanten hosts one of the largest archaeological open air museums, built at the site of the Colonia Ulpia Traiana. The first christian buildings may have been oratorys built over a Roman graves. A first church existed 752. A convent developed. As it was believed to have found the graves of Saint Viktor and his companions, all members of the Theban Legion, the places was called "ad sanctos" from which the town´s name "Xanten" derived. The construction of a larger church started, but it got destroyed by Norman invaders, who had hibernated on a near island in the Rhine river, in 863. Bishop Folkmar of Cologne consecrated a new church here in the second half of the 10th century. This church was restored after fires in the 11th and 12th centuries. From 1128 a choir was erected, that was consecrated by Bishop Rainald von Dassel. Between 1180 and 1213 the western facade had been erected upto the third level. The erection of today´s church started in 1263. After 281 years of construction it was finally completed in 1544. St. Viktor, often named "Xantener Dom" ("Xanten Cathedral"), was the center of the convent, that developed to a city in the city. It was completely surrounded by a wall and could be entered only through two gates. Standing in the nave, facing east. St. Viktor is one of the few churches, where the rood screen survived the times. It was created around 1400.

The Romans built up a castrum around 15BC. Around 110 AD the town that had developed around the camp was given the rights of a colonia, that was named Colonia Ulpia Traiana. The colonia became the second most important commercial post in "Germania Inferior", surpassed only by Colonia Agrippinensis (Cologne). Today Xanten hosts one of the largest archaeological open air museums, built at the site of the Colonia Ulpia Traiana. The first christian buildings may have been oratorys built over a Roman graves. A first church existed 752. A convent developed. As it was believed to have found the graves of Saint Viktor and his companions, all members of the Theban Legion, the places was called "ad sanctos" from which the town´s name "Xanten" derived. The construction of a larger church started, but it got destroyed by Norman invaders, who had hibernated on a near island in the Rhine river, in 863. Bishop Folkmar of Cologne consecrated a new church here in the second half of the 10th century. This church was restored after fires in the 11th and 12th centuries. From 1128 a choir was erected, that was consecrated by Bishop Rainald von Dassel. Between 1180 and 1213 the western facade had been erected upto the third level. The erection of today´s church started in 1263. After 281 years of construction it was finally completed in 1544. St. Viktor, often named "Xantener Dom" ("Xanten Cathedral"), was the center of the convent, that developed to a city in the city. It was completely surrounded by a wall and could be entered only through two gates. Of course the convent had a cloister, where the canons could and pray and contemplate about the course of time.

The Romans built up a castrum around 15BC. Around 110 AD the town that had developed around the camp was given the rights of a colonia, that was named Colonia Ulpia Traiana. The colonia became the second most important commercial post in "Germania Inferior", surpassed only by Colonia Agrippinensis (Cologne). Today Xanten hosts one of the largest archaeological open air museums, built at the site of the Colonia Ulpia Traiana. The first christian buildings may have been oratorys built over a Roman graves. A first church existed 752. A convent developed. As it was believed to have found the graves of Saint Viktor and his companions, all members of the Theban Legion, the places was called "ad sanctos" from which the town´s name "Xanten" derived. The construction of a larger church started, but it got destroyed by Norman invaders, who had hibernated on a near island in the Rhine river, in 863. Bishop Folkmar of Cologne consecrated a new church here in the second half of the 10th century. This church was restored after fires in the 11th and 12th centuries. From 1128 a choir was erected, that was consecrated by Bishop Rainald von Dassel. Between 1180 and 1213 the western facade had been erected upto the third level. The erection of today´s church started in 1263. After 281 years of construction it was finally completed in 1544. St. Viktor, often named "Xantener Dom" ("Xanten Cathedral"), was the center of the convent, that developed to a city in the city. It was completely surrounded by a wall and could be entered only through two gates. Of course the convent had a cloister, where the canons could and pray and contemplate about the course of time.

The Romans built up a castrum around 15BC. Around 110 AD the town that had developed around the camp was given the rights of a colonia, that was named Colonia Ulpia Traiana. The colonia became the second most important commercial post in "Germania Inferior", surpassed only by Colonia Agrippinensis (Cologne). Today Xanten hosts one of the largest archaeological open air museums, built at the site of the Colonia Ulpia Traiana. The first christian buildings may have been oratorys built over a Roman graves. A first church existed 752. A convent developed. As it was believed to have found the graves of Saint Viktor and his companions, all members of the Theban Legion, the places was called "ad sanctos" from which the town´s name "Xanten" derived. The construction of a larger church started, but it got destroyed by Norman invaders, who had hibernated on a near island in the Rhine river, in 863. Bishop Folkmar of Cologne consecrated a new church here in the second half of the 10th century. This church was restored after fires in the 11th and 12th centuries. From 1128 a choir was erected, that was consecrated by Bishop Rainald von Dassel. Between 1180 and 1213 the western facade had been erected upto the third level. The erection of today´s church started in 1263. After 281 years of construction it was finally completed in 1544. St. Viktor, often named "Xantener Dom" ("Xanten Cathedral"), was the center of the convent, that developed to a city in the city. It was completely surrounded by a wall and could be entered only through two gates. St. Viktor´s western facade. The lower part is Romanesque.

The Romans built up a castrum around 15BC. Around 110 AD the town that had developed around the camp was given the rights of a colonia, that was named Colonia Ulpia Traiana. The colonia became the second most important commercial post in "Germania Inferior", surpassed only by Colonia Agrippinensis (Cologne). Today Xanten hosts one of the largest archaeological open air museums, built at the site of the Colonia Ulpia Traiana. The first christian buildings may have been oratorys built over a Roman graves. A first church existed 752. A convent developed. As it was believed to have found the graves of Saint Viktor and his companions, all members of the Theban Legion, the places was called "ad sanctos" from which the town´s name "Xanten" derived. The construction of a larger church started, but it got destroyed by Norman invaders, who had hibernated on a near island in the Rhine river, in 863. Bishop Folkmar of Cologne consecrated a new church here in the second half of the 10th century. This church was restored after fires in the 11th and 12th centuries. From 1128 a choir was erected, that was consecrated by Bishop Rainald von Dassel. Between 1180 and 1213 the western facade had been erected upto the third level. The erection of today´s church started in 1263. After 281 years of construction it was finally completed in 1544. St. Viktor, often named "Xantener Dom" ("Xanten Cathedral"), was the center of the convent, that developed to a city in the city. It was completely surrounded by a wall and could be entered only through two gates. The south gate still exists - has this plaque, as the long way to Santiago passed of course through Xanten. The distance from here to Santiago de Compostella is - 2744 kms.

The Romans built up a castrum around 15BC. Around 110 AD the town that had developed around the camp was given the rights of a colonia, that was named Colonia Ulpia Traiana. The colonia became the second most important commercial post in "Germania Inferior", surpassed only by Colonia Agrippinensis (Cologne). Today Xanten hosts one of the largest archaeological open-air museums, built at the site of the Colonia Ulpia Traiana. The first Christian buildings may have been oratorys built over Roman graves. A first church existed 752. A convent developed. As it was believed to have found the graves of Saint Viktor and his companions, all members of the Theban Legion, the places were called "ad sanctos" from which the town´s name "Xanten" derived. The construction of a larger church started, but it got destroyed by Norman invaders, who had hibernated on a near island in the Rhine river, in 863. Bishop Folkmar of Cologne consecrated a new church here in the second half of the 10th century. This church was restored after fires in the 11th and 12th centuries. From 1128 a choir was erected, that was consecrated by Bishop Rainald von Dassel. Between 1180 and 1213 the western facade had been erected up to the third level. The erection of today´s church started in 1263. After 281 years of construction, it was finally completed in 1544. St. Viktor, often named "Xantener Dom" ("Xanten Cathedral"), was the centre of the convent, that developed to a city in the city. It was completely surrounded by a wall and could be entered only through two gates. The south gate still exists - and connects to the "secular" market place.

As this place has a strategic value securing the road to the upper part of the Rhône valley, that continued from there on via the St. Bernard Pass to Italy, a Roman outpost named Agaunum existed here. The best known Roman legion ever been here, was the Theban Legion, that later got known as the "Martyrs of Agaunum". Following a stiry written down by afflatus of Eucherius, Bishop of Lyon, around 430, the Legion was commanded by Maurice (Mauritius), Candidus, Innocent and Exuperius. Since the Legion had refused to sacrifice to the Emperor Diocletian orders were given to "decimate" the legion by putting to death a tenth of its men. This act was repeated until none were left. Bodies identified as the "martyrs of Agaunum" had been discovered here and a basilica was built in their honor. An abbey was founded in the early 6th century on land donated by King Sigismund of Burgundy. This was a very popular place for pilgrims until Otto I ("Otto the Great") in 961 "translated" the relics of Saint Maurice to Magdeburg, where Otto founded a bishopric soon after. The relics still are in the Magdeburg Cathedral, near the tomb of Otto I and his wife Eadgyth. The abbey survived the loss - and is still existing. With a history of 1500 years it may be the oldest existing convent in mid Europe. As the abbey´s church was built under a cliff, the building got frequently damaged by rockfalls, the last of such events happed in 1942 and damaged the tower. Most, what is seen today, dates to the 17th and early 18th century.

As this place has a strategic value securing the road to the upper part of the Rhône valley, that continued from there on via the St. Bernard Pass to Italy, a Roman outpost named Agaunum existed here. The best known Roman legion ever been here, was the Theban Legion, that later got known as the "Martyrs of Agaunum". Following a stiry written down by afflatus of Eucherius, Bishop of Lyon, around 430, the Legion was commanded by Maurice (Mauritius), Candidus, Innocent and Exuperius. Since the Legion had refused to sacrifice to the Emperor Diocletian orders were given to "decimate" the legion by putting to death a tenth of its men. This act was repeated until none were left. Bodies identified as the "martyrs of Agaunum" had been discovered here and a basilica was built in their honor. An abbey was founded in the early 6th century on land donated by King Sigismund of Burgundy. This was a very popular place for pilgrims until Otto I ("Otto the Great") in 961 "translated" the relics of Saint Maurice to Magdeburg, where Otto founded a bishopric soon after. The relics still are in the Magdeburg Cathedral, near the tomb of Otto I and his wife Eadgyth. The abbey survived the loss - and is still existing. With a history of 1500 years it may be the oldest existing convent in mid Europe.

Gusmeo and Matteo, two members of the legendary Theban Legion (led by Saint Maurice) were martyred here. After their relics were found in 1248 a church was built over their tombs. This church was rectangular and was "merged" into the new church, erected in 1533. Here is the former apse.