Aginnum wasn’t just any small settlement-it was a wealthy, high-traffic hub, surrounded by an epic 800-meter-long, 60-meter-thick wall. That’s some serious security, and, to put that in context, would you believe that today’s fitness influencers would probably get a full workout just running around it once! The city spread over an impressive 80 hectares, pulsing with energy, thanks more to people passing through than to busy merchants. This high volume of visitors even laid the groundwork for Christianity to arrive early in Agen.
Imagine a grand theatre-rare for a modest town-where the residents were entertained, and nearby, an amphitheatre so big it could host up to 15,000 cheering fans. Too bad those buildings don’t stand today, but if you listen closely, you might still hear the distant roar of their ancient crowds. The city’s heart was the forum, lively with debate and business, right where today’s market stands. The only real survivor of Aginnum’s glory is the little cella of Martrou, which once kept the relics of Saint Caprais safe.
Here’s a fun twist-Aginnum even gets a guest appearance in the beloved comic “Asterix and the Tour of Gaul,” so if you spot wild boars and magic potions, you’re in the right place! As you stand here, try to picture streets once alive with Roman sandals, Christian processions, and, if you’re lucky, perhaps a couple of cartoon Gauls rushing by.
