The Latin Students in Trier: Two Student Reports

For the 9th-grade Latin field trip, we traveled to Germany’s oldest city, Trier. After a long train ride and a brief detour to the beautiful city of Luxembourg, we checked into our hostel, which was located right in the city center, just a few hundred meters from the Porta Nigra. After getting an overview of tranquil Trier through a city scavenger hunt, we had the chance to explore the city on our own. The next day, a “Roman slave girl” guided us through the city. She took us to many places where traces of Roman life are still visible. We also gained deeper insights into Roman life through a guided tour of the Rhineland State Museum in Trier, featuring mosaics, sculptures, and everyday objects. The tour ended with a look at the gold treasure that was discovered in 1993 during the construction of an underground parking garage in Trier. In addition to the Porta Nigra, we also visited the Basilica of Constantine and the thermal baths. Our visit to Trier was rounded off with a private theatrical tour of the amphitheater. Isaac Boateng used a dramatic performance to tell us the story of a gladiator who attended a gladiator school in Trier and took part in fights in the amphitheater.

Nele Heinemann and Lotta Ritter

 

This year’s Latin field trip took us to the historic city of Trier, considered Germany’s oldest city. There, at the Rheinisches Landesmuseum, a truly impressive exhibit awaited us: the Trier Gold Coin Hoard.
This sensational discovery is one of the largest and most significant coin hoards ever found worldwide. It was discovered in 1993 during excavation work in Trier and handed over to the museum. In total, the hoard comprises 2,650 gold coins that were minted during the Roman Empire between 63 and 196 AD.

From Emperor Nero to Marcus Aurelius, the coins feature the portraits of 27 famous Romans. The discovery gives us a fascinating glimpse into just how splendid Trier was during the Roman Empire. The gold used in these coins alone is worth several million euros today.

However, something so valuable also attracts shady characters. In October 2019, two masked men attempted to steal the treasure by force. Fortunately, the robbery failed because the thieves were unable to break the display case’s security glass. Since then, security measures have been strengthened, and the “
” gold treasure of Trier can now continue to be admired by interested visitors.

My conclusion:
Trier is great! If you ever find yourself there, immerse yourself in the history and richness of a city that was once almost as resplendent as mighty Rome itself.

Clara Victoria Meinrad