Cardo

The Cardo (also: Kardo ) refers to the scale at the plant of a Roman town's main axis, which was usually applied in a north-south direction. Perpendicular to this main axis extending in a generally east-west axis direction has been set, the Decumanus is called. The intersection of these main axes referred to the center of the city.

The determination of the principal axes was regarded as a religious act in which originally a priest, was always present. Since the determination of the principal axes with the aid of a carried Groma, the point of intersection of the main axes is also Groma (more precisely locus gromae ) mentioned.

More specifically, the principal axes are called cardo maximus and decumanus maximus, as were applied in parallel to the main axes minor axes. The resulting checkerboard map is still in the installation of many recognizable Roman foundation of declining cities.

In particular, one finds this form of investment in Roman forts, where the principal axes are also called via principalis ( cardo maximus ) or via praetoria ( decumanus maximus).