Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Manduel Milestone is a Roman vestige dating from the 2nd century, typical of kilometric landmarks located along the ways of the Empire. It is specifically attributed to the emperor Antonin le Pieux, whose reign (138–161 A.D.) corresponds to the period of construction of many road works in Gaul of Narbon. This terminal, like four others identified in the municipality, probably marked a distance on a secondary road connecting Nîmes with local agglomerations.

Located today in the centre of the Town Hall Square of Manduel (Gard), the terminal was classified as historical monuments by order of 5 June 1973. Its current location, in the heart of the village, contrasts with its original function on the edge of ancient pavement. The precise coordinates (5 Place de la Mairie) and its SEO in the Merimée base (code INSEE 30155) confirm its anchoring in the local heritage, although its exact location on the Roman way remains debated (precision estimated at 5/10 by the sources).

The 1973 classification highlights the historical value of this monument, representative of Roman engineering in Occitanie. Milestones, often engraved with imperial inscriptions, served both as landmarks for travellers and symbols of central power. Manduel, although partially documented (reference CIL 17-02, 00223), illustrates the dense road network that structured the Roman province of Narbonnaise, now divided between the Languedoc-Roussillon (now Occitanie) and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur regions.

External links