Tra Natisone e Isonzo: il territorio in età romana

The paper provides a general overview of collected data on the territorial organization and population distribution in the area between the rivers Natisone and Isonzo during the Roman Age (II-I Century B.C. - IV Century A.D.). The first part is a presentation of gathered information on the road network and on the ancient land division. The second part focuses on the analysis of settlement patterns and population distribution. The territory can be divided into three main areas. The distinction is based on the definition of different patterns, influenced by geomorphological factors or by the distance/proximity to Forum Iulii. The analysis of settlement features, chronological and economic data has shown that the area was important from a mainly strategic point of view. It has also shown that the route along the Natisone river was not central to the network of long-distance trade routes leading to the Transalpine area. The route was mainly exploited as a connection between the two main valleys.