But further to the north and east were the Germanic tribes that had been steadily moving westward, killing the local inhabitants or driving them before them.
The Romans built a road, the Splugen, from the south over the Mountain passes to the north. In the Liechtenstein valley it ran along the east bank of the Rhine. Roman Villas and fortifications were built at present day Schaanwald and Nendeln to protect the road across the alpine passes from attack. After the Alamans defeated the Romans in the Teutoburger Forest in 9 AD, Rome did not try to expand any further across the Rhine for a time. To protect Roman colonies in Rhaetia, the Legions built and garrisoned a series of fortifications called Limes.
The Limes to the north and east in the Roman province of Germania Superior were a high spiked wooden fence with a ditch or moat. Just behind that was a thick stone wall with high wooden watch towers. Smaller fortifications housing the Auxilia (auxiliary troops), Cohorts (troops), and Alen (mounted troops) were established behind the wall. These troops called out only in case of serious attack by the German tribes. The Limes in Rhaetia was a single stone wall with manned watchtowers.
The inhabitants of the Liechtenstein valley and Rhaetia became during the Imperial years quite romanized. Roman divinities were worshiped instead of the old Celtic Gods. Commerce increase and agriculture flourished. Vineyards were planted on the mountain slopes. Buildings were built with under the floor heating, running water and sewer disposal. Except for the occasional raid, life in the valley must have been peaceful and prosperous. The Romans would have the least impact on this little country leaving only several ruins. The next group of invaders, The Alamani, would leave their genetic and cultural stamp on the people of Liechtenstein.
From AD 98-117 Roman legions pushed the “Pax Romana” beyond the Rhine to the Main and Danube Rivers. For a time the Germanic tribes were held at bay. With Roman rule came the first Christians. Little is know of them except that they were initially considered subversive and Roman Governors of Rhaetia tried to suppress them. Gradually Christianity took hold in the valley. It is said that the first Christian missionary was St Lucius who came over the mountains from the south on a trail that is still called the Luziensteig. He is venerated as the first apostle of the faith in Liechtenstein.
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