Carlisle Lvgvvalivm Roman Fort
Following open hostility, from Brigantes, (the tribe inhabiting the north of England); the Emperor Vespasian decided to fully occupy the territory. He knew Britain well having served as Legate, during the invasion about 25 years before. The governor of Britain Cerialis was tasked in 71AD to undertake the invasion. The invasion was spearheaded by the 9th Legion then based at Lincoln and the 20th Legion based at Wroxeter, in Shropshire both supported with ancillary cohorts.
Cerialis commanded the 9th and moved up the east coast first to York and on to Stanwick, the Brigantian stronghold just south of Piercebridge, while the 20th moved up the west coast to Carlisle.
A turf and wood fort was built north and west of the current town centre between the rivers Caldew and Eden in about 72/73AD just a half mile south west of what became the Hadrianic fort of Stanwix on the Wall 50 years later. There are no remains. It covers 8 acres and was roughly 600ft square. It is covered in the north by the medieval castle, the bypass and the north part of the town centre, including Tullie House Museum, one of the best Roman museums. Luguvalium means “strong through Lugus”, who appears to be a Celtic god. In the late first century, the fort was garrisoned by the Sebosian cavalry of Goals. Twenty years later the Ala Patria was stationed there following its increase in size to 800 plus troopers, recognized as the primary cavalry regiment in Britain. It was transferred to Stanwix when the fort was built. The remains of the HQ building, the commander’s house and barracks 158 ft. long and 31 ft. wide have been identified. The interior changed over time. The fort was dismantled in 105AD, which was replaced again with a timber fort and demolished in about 140AD.
A new fort was built in the early third century in stone, just inside the walls of the original fort. The fort was occupied throughout Roman control in Britain
The City
The fort was located close to the principal settlement of the Cavetti tribe, which occupied Cumbria and north Lancashire. It developed into a city covering 80 acres and was located at the western end of the Stanegate, which went east to Corbridge. This and a road heading north to cross the Eden, a short distance east of the fort, was the axis on which the city grow and prospered, now beneath the current city centre. The city became a regional administrative centre and later possibly a provincial capital, when the British provinces were later further spite, surprising what little is known.
.It was probably one of the largest communities north of York, and certainly the largest near the Wall, with impressive city walls, of which there is no sign. St Cuthbert visited them in 685AD along with a “marvellously constructed fountain of Roman worship”. Remains have been found in the city over the years including hypocaust for heated accommodation and baths. Cemeteries have been found to the east, south and west of the site.
The following gives an indication of the artefacts found.
“To the spirits of the departed; Aurelia Aureliana lived 41 years. Ulpius Apolinaris set this up to his very beloved wife.”
Found in the Roman cemetery on Gallows Hill, south of Carlisle, in making a cutting for the main road and transferred to the Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle upon Tyne. The sandstone tombstone was found face down on top of her oak coffin. It dates from the mid-third century.
“To the spirit of the departed, Vacia”
The female figure is dressed in a belted tunic and a cloak and holds in her right hand what looks like a bunch of grapes. The stone was presumably bought ready-made in red sandstone as the relief shows a person much older than the three-year-old recorded in the text. Found at the Bowling Green, on the east side of the north end of Lowther Street, Carlisle and now in Tullie House Museum.
View the other artefacts