Butrint
Butrint
Albania · Vlorë
In brief
Butrint is an ancient city whose Greek, Roman and medieval phases have been documented through excavation. Research in the forum has revealed the public centre of the Roman colony and its later use.
What was found?
- 1Forum of the Augustus period
It was the center of administration, justice, commerce, and religious life in the Roman city. It documents the public order established in the city by Roman colonists.
- 2Ancient theater
It is among the buildings uncovered during excavations in the city center. It provides insight into Butrint's public architecture.
- 3Sanctuary of Asklepios
It is an area dedicated to Asklepios, the god of healing. It is one of the tangible remains of the city's religious life.
- 4Portraits of Augustus, Livia, and Agrippa
These are portrait busts found during excavations. They show that Roman ruling circles were represented in the city through statues.
- 5Manumission inscriptions
These are Greek inscriptions recording the freeing of enslaved people. They offer direct written testimony to the city's social and legal life.
What does it point to?
The buildings of Butrint show the place of worship, performances, administration, and commerce in urban life. The portraits make the representation of Roman power visible, while the manumission inscriptions reveal changes in individuals' legal status.
What did it teach us?
- It showed that the forum brought multiple public functions together in one center.
- It documented the presence in the city of portraits of members of Roman ruling circles.
- The Greek inscriptions provided direct records of the freeing of enslaved people.
Images



Record
- Culture
- Epirote; Ancient Greek; Roman; Byzantine; Venetian
- First modern dig
- 1928
- Team / historical
- University of Notre Dame; Roman Forum Excavations Project
- Coordinates
- 39.7456°, 20.0206°
Sources
Nearby excavations
- Apollonia of Illyria 118 km
- Aigai 211 km
- Delphi 256 km
- Stobi 260 km
- Olympia 273 km
- Ancient Corinth 321 km
- —
- —
- 12.000
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