Teanum Sidicinum
An ancient city in N Campania of about the same size as the present town. Although there have been discovered in the area tombs of the 7th c. B.C., we have for the first time in the period of the Samnite wars our first evidence of the Sidicini. In the Hellenistic period, to judge from literary notices, archaeological data, and coinage, which began toward the end of the 4th c., Teanum was one of the most important centers of central Campania. In fact, it was the most outstanding site on the Via Latina. The settlement was reduced to the area of the citadel in the high Middle Ages.
A sanctuary complex in the area of Loreto on the banks of the Savone (Safo) has yielded architectural and votive terracottas of the last ten years of the 6th c. and much votive material of the 5th and 4th c. After the establishment of the city, which apparently occurred in the last third of the 4th c. to judge from archaeological finds, the sanctuary was significantly enlarged and equipped with a terrace; gradually buildings rose in the area until the period of Sulla. Among the most interesting structures thus far uncovered are four temples with podia of the 3d c. and first half of the 2d c. The monumental works of the late 2d c. were enlarged in the Sullan period. Some small molded temples of the 3d c. and 2d c. are of particular interest among the votive offerings and a sculpture group from the Augustan age.
The citadel was adapted very skillfully to the city plan. Various traces of the isodomic fortification works on the citadel are preserved. In the Late Hellenistic period, an apparent expansion to the S and E made Teanum one of the largest cities in Campania.
Among the structures partially explored are a bath complex of the Sullan period, rebuilt again and again until the Late Empire, and a sanctuary complex which embraced the theater. The theater, begun in the last ten years of the 2d c. B.C., had its models in Caria and strong analogies at Pietrabbondante. Supported by massive, vaulted substructures, it may be the oldest theater built entirely of masonry. The stage building dates to a partial restoration of the Sullan period and its very ornate marble architecture has largely survived, even though in a state of collapse. To the S of the city on the Via Latina are the remains of the late Republican amphitheater with its more recent restorations.
Farther downstream, on the right of the Savone, is a large Hellenistic necropolis in which were discovered tombs, some partially chambered, some with decorative paintings. A Roman monumental necropolis extends N along the Via Latina.
In the area many remains have been noted of country villas and of a would-be urban villa of the 3d c. A.D. near the source of the Santella. On the hillside of Santa Giulianeta, S of Teano, are the remains of a temple of the Sullan period and in the valley of Assano are mines that had been worked out even in antiquity. Everything leads to the conjecture that Rufrae, near the modern Presenzano, was part of the territory of Teanum. Rufrae appears to have been an autonomous center during the Samnite wars and in the late Republican period was reduced to a pagus.
A type of black glaze ware is attributed to Teanum. Of the first Hellenistic period, this ware is covered with decorations and occasionally incised and painted over with forms that derive, in part, from Attic models.
BIBLIOGRAPHYTh. Mommsen in CIL X, p. 471f; E. Gabrici, “Necropoli di età Ellenistica a Teano,” Mon. ant. Lincei 20 (1910) pp. 5ff; H. Philipp in RE v A1, col. 97f; W. Johannowsky, “Relazione Preliminare sugli scavi de Teano,” BdA 48 (1963) 131-65.
W. JOHANNOWSKY