Latin colonia with 6,000 colonists, founded as a fortification to control a road junction in 304 BC (Liv. 10. 1. 2) in the area of the Aequi: the later via Valeria (between Rome and the Adriatic; decumanus of the city laid out at right angles) and a road that connected Etruria with Campania along the Liris met there. Served as place of exile for Syphax, for Perseus and for Bituitus. Decline since the 3rd cent. AD, Byzantine troops were stationed here in AD 537. Today abandoned, near the village of Albe (Massa d'Albe community, 8 km west of Avezzano). On the hill (in a north-south direction, 1,150 m x 675 m) city wall in polygonal masonry (2925 m) with four gates, forum, temple and theatre. On the outskirts there is an amphitheatre and an aqueduct. Belgian excavations have occurred since 1949.
Alba Fucens, a Latin colony of 6,000 (see ius latii) founded by Rome in 303 bce, on a hill above the Fucine lake (see fucinus lacus) in central Italy. It was connected to Rome by the *via Valeria, a route of great antiquity. Alba usually supported the Roman government, e.g. against *Hannibal, the socii (90 bce; see social war (3)), *Caesar, and M. *Antonius (2) (Mark Antony). In the 2nd cent. bce, dethroned kings such as *Syphax were confined here. The walls, which extend for nearly 3 km. (1 ¾ mi.), originated in the 3rd cent. bce, and the town saw substantial replanning in the 1st cent. bce. Extensive excavations have revealed the forum, basilica, shops, temples, theatres, amphitheatre, etc. Decline began in the 3rd cent. ce, and the place is not mentioned after 537 when Justinian's troops were stationed here.
