Cardo

For the crustacean genus Cardus, see Polychelidae.

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In Roman city planning, a cardo or cardus was a north-south-oriented street in ancient Roman cities, military camps, and colonia. The main street of the city was most often the cardo and was sometimes called the cardus maximus. The cardo served as the center of economic life. The street was lined with shops, merchants, and vendors.

Related Topics:
Roman city planning - Ancient Roman - Colonia

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Most Roman cities also had a Decumanus Maximus, an east-west street that served as a secondary main street. Due to varying geography, in some cities the decumanus is the main street and the cardo is secondary, but in general the cardus maximus served as the primary road. The Forum was normally located at the intersection of the Decumanus and the Cardo.

Related Topics:
Decumanus Maximus - Forum

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The cardo was the "hinge" or axis of the city, derived from the same root as cardinal. The term 'cardus' is derived from the north-south line the augurs would draw when making the auspices.

Related Topics:
Cardinal - Augur - Auspices

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