Viroconium, Roman Britain, 720AD
Viroconium, England, 720AD
Existence: Around 600 Years, From 50 AD til 650 AD
Belonged to: Rome, Kingdom of Powys
Abandoned: Plague
Viroconium was first established in the early years of the Roman conquest of Britain as a frontier post for a cohort of Thracian Auxilia who were taking part in the campaigns of the governor, Scapula. The site is strategically located near the end of Watling Street, the primary Roman trunk road that ran across Britannia from Dubris (Dover). The post was a key frontier position because it defended the River Severn valley as it come out of Cambria (Wales) as well as protecting the route to the south that lead to the Wye valley.
In the mid 1st century Legio XIV Gemina took over the site from the Thracian Auxilia in preparation for the invasion of Wales and replaced the fort with a much larger legionary fortress. In 78AD, general Agricola led campaigns to suppress the tribes in North Wales and the druids on Ynys Môn. In 80AD Agricola took Legio XIV Gemina north on his punitive expeditions against the Picts in Scotland. With the departure of Legio XIV Gemina, Legio XX Valeria Victrix took over the fortress.
By the late 80s the fort had ceased to be used by the Roman army after Legio XX moved to Deva Victrix. In this period the civilian settlement, that had grown up around the legionary fort began turning into a town. Archaeological research has found that an unfinished legionary bath house in the centre of the town eventually became the town’s forum. A decade later a civic street grid was subsuming the plan of the old legionary fort and the settlement was quickly growing into a city, its important location becoming a centre for trade.
By 130AD the city had expanded significantly, especially under Emperor Hadrian to cover an area of more than 173 acres (70 ha). It then had many public buildings. Simpler temples and shops have also been excavated. At its peak, Viroconium is estimated to have been one of the richest and the fourth largest Roman settlement in Britain with a population of more than 35,000. Its wealth is surprising for what remained a frontier city and is explained by its access to Wales and to other trade routes.
Following the end of Roman rule in Britain around 410, the Cornovii tribe divided into Pengwern (Shropshire) and Powys. This socio-political division started Viroconium’s decline as an important settlement, however the site still remained important and served as the capital of the Powys kingdom for some time. The city was eventually completely abandoned in the second half o the 7th century, following a famine and plague which devastated the region at the time.
