Durovernum Cantiacorum
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Durovernum Cantiacorum was a town in the Roman province of Britannia. Today it is known as Canterbury, located in the English county of Kent.
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[edit] Origins
Durovernum is the Latin form of the Brythonic Durovernon referring to the Iron Age oppidum which existed on the site, with a triple-ditched homestead at its centre. Not long after the the Roman conquest of Britain in AD 43, a Roman fort was established there and military occupation continued until at least AD 60.
[edit] Development
It was not until the withdrawal of the army that Durovernum expanded on any significant scale, and it became the civitas capital of the Cantiaci tribes. A large religious and administrative complex was soon established at its centre, consisting of forum and basilica, temple enclosure and theatre. The theatre, originally built around AD 80, was totally rebuilt in the early 3rd century. It was probably associated with religious festivals as much as the dramatic arts. The public baths were just to the north-east. A number of other possible temple and/or church sites have also been identified. The town was enclosed by defensive walls in the late 3rd century and was given single-arched gateways. Private buildings within the walls were originally of timber, but were later replaced with stone and some furnished with mosaic floors. An extensive complex of wooden pipes serviced the town. Industries included brick, tile and pottery production, as well as bronze working. There were many commercial shops, notably a baker's shop with donkey-driven millstone. Cemeteries outside the town apparently continued in Christian use and St Martin's Church appears to be built around an old Roman mausoleum which stood in one of these.
[edit] Decline
Because of its links with Gaul, Durovernum seems to have survived in good order until the Romans administration left around AD 410. However, after that, its decline was rapid. Hired mercenaries were used to defend the town, but they revolted and, by the time of the Battle of Aylesford in the mid-5th century, the Anglo-Saxons had taken over the area.
[edit] Remains
- The Canterbury Roman Museum houses Roman artefacts from across the town, as well as an in situ Roman town house and its mosaics.
[edit] References
- Wacher, John (1995). The Towns of Roman Britain. London: B T Batsford.
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