Roman Chester was called Deva by Rome
Location
Roman Chester was on the estuary of the River Dee between Wales and North West England. Chester is 20 miles from the sea, but nineteen hundred years ago Roman Chester was on the coast.
Following the invasion of Britain in AD 43, the army had occupied southern Cheshire by AD 55, although areas in Wales had not been conquered. The area is just south of the Brigantes territory, which had treat obligations with the Empire dating from the conquest. To the West was North Wales partially occupied with the road from the West along the north coast of Wales.
The river has since changed, it ran along the north east of Roodee/racecourse and the reason for this precise location is difficult to determine visually with the changes over nearly 2000 years. The location provided a safe and large harbour
Foundation and Early History
Roman Chester was a useful location to support the Roman occupation of North Wales (Anglesey was still not occupied) and the North West (occupied but not subdued) with a fortress and a port from about 75AD, ideal location at this time. (For further detail click here)
Underneath the first the Roman Fortress is evidence of an earlier structure, it is likely that this location was occupied before the fortress was formally built, with a possible ancillary fort, which destroyed in the construction of the fortress, dating from up to 20 years before the fortress was built. The harbour probably pre dated the fortress during the conquest of the North West and some of Wales.
By 75AD Roman fortresses were constructed to a fairly standard layout.
Most single legionary fortresses were about fifty acres with gates and the principal buildings in the same place within the fortress with a ratio of 5 to 4, therefore almost square like York and Caerleon.
Roman Chester was different with a ratio of 3 to 2, similar to most ancillary forts, with an area 10 acres larger at 60 acres. It was 1945ft long and 1351ft wide
The Headquarters Building was usually in the centre but at Roman Chester it is further south. The bathhouse was originally built inside the fortress, but an external bathhouse was added within 25years.
The reason for its larger size is that the fortress had buildings not usual in a fortress, identified above as the “Elite Buildings”, which will be considered later.
At first the fortress had a turf and wood wall with a palisade and wooden towers similar to the above. Early in the 2nd century this was replaced by a very large and well-built stone wall, placed immediately in front of the turf wall, which became an earth bank behind. The Wooden towers were replaced by large towers and gates, which can be described as monumental using large stone blocks. Wooden buildings inside the fortress were replaced by stone buildings. The walls were unusual because of the large blocks of stone.
Elite Buildings including the Elliptical Building
North and North West of the Headquarters building, are two large unique but very different building not found in legionary fortresses, whether they were connected is not certain.
Long Rectangular Building
The building was over twice the size of the Headquarters building about the same width about 200ft and 500ft north to south. It was to be built of stone unlike the rest of the fortress. The south had colonnade in front of the entrance with a free standing structure behind it, with 3 large chambers, as part of a very large inner enclosure. As it is located under the centre of modern Chester it is difficult to interpret (see diagram on the right)
The building was began probably soon after the fortress say soon after75AD and abandoned soon after the foundations were completed
About 25 years later, it was built, but modified to include small rooms around the outer wall.
Elliptical Building
This unique monumental building has had a lot of attention. Archaeologist have scanned the Empire and found nothing like it. Its site is North West of the Legionary Headquarters build and about the same size about 200ft square, but with two stories. Located west of the Long Rectangular Building.
It was abandoned before the foundations were completed after 79AD. In the centre is an oval building, divided into twelve rooms, with two storeys around a courtyard, which is linked to the streets to the east and west with colonnades along the length of the building along the street.. To the north are storage rooms or barracks.
To the south is a reasonably sized bathhouse approximately 50 ft by 160 ft, with a storage area to the west.
For the next 150 years it was ignored, then in the 3rd century, someone found the original plans and decided to build a modified version with a round as against elliptical building, with small alterations elsewhere.
The Purpose of the Buildings
There is no consensus as to the purpose of these buildings, or whether the original purpose of the buildings was linked.
These are the relevant facts:
- The fortress was 20% bigger than the other British legionary fortresses; the inclusion of these buildings was the reason.
- Although the decision to start building was made by Agricola, the decision to increase the size of the fortress was made by Governors Cearlis or Frontinus immediately before the building of the fortress
- The decision by the Emperor Vespasian was made to conquer the whole island; London which had just become the capital was a long way from “Scotland”.
- In 79AD Vespasian died and the conquest of “Scotland “was paused for a short time, about the time construction on the “Elite” Buildings was stopped. Emperor Titus, his son, probably made the decision and died 2 years after Vespasian death
- The building had a significant bathhouse, generally associated with important residences
- The foundations indicate a high status building although it was difficult to classify
- The rectangular building was exceptionally big even for a large barracks, and was configured unlike a barracks
- The idea of a temple or market is in the centre of a fortress seem highly improbable in the 1st century.
- With the Hugh Rectangular Buildings, the options are even more limited, a Hugh marine complex is one alternative, but you expect it to be on the west side of the fortress, nearer the harbour.
We are left with the possibility of a provincial governor’s complex with all the government structure to be centred in the middle of the fortress of Roman Chester, stopped by Titus and thereafter the idea was forgotten. If the province was to include “Scotland” and “Ireland”, Chester was the ideal location. We will never know.
Why the rectangular built was built in the early 2nd century and the “Elliptical Building in the 3rd century remains another mystery, except say that Emperor Severus was the ultimate builder in the 3rd century.
Garrison
Roman Chester was built by the 2nd Adiutrix Legion, which only formed in 70AD from naval forces and arrived in Britain two or three years before and moved from Lincoln to garrison Roman Chester.( see here for further details)
Their naval background would have been useful and significant in developing a naval base at Chester with its port.
A legion consists of about 5,500 people At full complement it consisted of 9 cohorts of 480 men divided into 6 centuries of 80 men, 1 cohort of 800 men divided into 5 centuries of 160 men, a cavalry detachment of 120 men probably divided 4 turmas of 30 men and some hundreds of non-military servants and ancillaries. (See here for further details)
The legion remained at Chester until about 87AD, when they returned to the continent. During the conquest of “Scotland”, they remained as the main garrison in England. The legion was withdrawn from Britain to reinforce the Balkans.
It was replaced by XX Valerica Victrix Legion (See further details) when it returned from “Scotland” after building and a short occupation of the Inchtuthill fortress in Perthshire.
The legion did not spend long periods at Roman Chester particularly after 120AD. First they were in involved in building Hadrian’s Wall immediately followed by the second invasion of “Scotland” by Antoninus Pius, followed by vexations sent to the continent later in the 2nd century and then the civil war. A period of long neglect has been identified.
In195AD, by Governor Clodius Albinus of Britannia, attempted to become emperor. The British legions were transferred to the continent, but were defeated by Septimius Severus in the spring of 197AD and the survivors return to Chester.
The legion was then probably involved in repairing info structure damaged by incursions from the north and neglected while most of the troops were in Gaul.
In AD208 Septimius Severus came to Britain in a punitive invasion to subdue the “Scots”, who had caused the damage 10 years earlier. The legion was involved in the invasion, where no fortifications were built and retained.
By 212 AD it was over, Septimius Severus has died and so has the invasion. The legions continued at Chester, and were involved in repairs and extensive building work.
The legion XX Valerica was last identified with Chester late in third century.
About this time as a result of changes in the army by Diocletian and Constantine the Great, the concept of a legion of 5,000 plus men disappeared, and base unit became the cohort.
It is possible that some the cohorts remained at Chester, operating administratively like ancillary cohorts, until moved on.
Later History
The absence the legion from the fortress meant that major repairs were needed.
By 216AD the province of Britain had been divided into 2 provinces Britannia Superior and Inferior, the former controlling the South including Wales and Chester. Britannia Inferior covered the North from York. Roman Chester reported to the Governor in London as it did before the division.
The Severan period always seems to keep walls and buildings in good order as a result Roman Chester was renovated in the first part of the 3rd century after 90 years of neglect.
The outer defences were properly maintained with the ditches cleaned out, but the stonework was fine, and the streets and sewage renovated. The barracks were rebuilt from the floor up.
The Headquarters building was rebuilt similarly to the 2nd century building it replaced; it was the size of a small fort. The great Hall alone was 240ft by 110 ft. wide, where the legate could address the whole legion.
The commander’s house and bathhouse were also renovated.
From about 230AD vexations of the legion (probably several cohorts) were posted to the continents and some probably never returned. The situation in Britain was quieter as regards foreign incursions in the 3rd century, therefore they were not needed.
In 260AD the western provinces broke away from the Empire, with parts including Britain remaining independent for 13 years as the Gallic Empire, in part because disaster in several parts of the Empire. The Gallic Empire had about 6 emperors in its last 4 years before it was reabsorbed into the Roman Empire.
There is almost no information, but it would appear very unlikely that XX Legion sat it out at Chester. There has to be some serious fighting between trained troops on both sides probably in Gaul.
In 286/287AD it happened again. . Carausius, the Coastal Commander had the Roman Navy and with significant army contingents and, with an emperor trying to execute him, he declared himself independent as an Emperor and the Empire was business defending the Rhine frontier and there may have been fond memories of the last period of independence. In 293AD Constantius the Junior Emperor took his continental possessions, which was then followed by Carausius being murdered by Allectus his financial minister, who became “Emperor“. Read more here
When the invasion fleet was ready in 296 AD, Constantius invaded and conquered Britain with little opposition.
Again what was XX legion’s involvement in these 10 years and when the invasion came there appears to be little support for Allectus. There is almost no information.
After this period it is quite likely that the legion was only a fraction of the legion it had been, partly as a result of Diocletian’s reorganisation, which included the division of Britain into 4 provinces, with Chester becoming part of Britannia Prima controlled from Lincoln, fifty years before it would have been the capital.
About 350 AD there was a civil war, which sucked the troops from the provinces, with losses of over 50,000 at battle in Romina, how many if any came from Legion XX is totally unknown.
How long the Roman Chester was occupied is unknown. The last artefact that could identify occupation was a gold coin (very rare in the North of England) dating from 351/353AD found in 1978/82 excavations, but it could have been 10 years later before it was lost.
It has been suggested that the garrison (2 to 3 cohorts?) was extracted in AD 383 by the usurper Emperor Maximus to help cease the Western Empire, but although initially successful was defeated 5 years later. This could well have been the end of the remains of the Legion or its successor, as the chances of their return to Chester would have been remote.
Civil Settlement
With the transfer of 2nd Adiutrix Legion to build the fortress, the arrival of 5500 troops it would a magnet for civilians with the spending power of the legion. The diagram at the beginning of this guide shows the site 25 years after the fortress was started, the above reflects the 3rd century settlement around the fortress.
The first thing to note is that the main channel of the River Dee flowed through the east side of the Roodee, now the racecourse, which have been would be underwater at high tide.
A new bathhouse was built outside the western gate as these were always considered a fire risk.
A pier was constructed south of the bathhouse, and a link to deep water and the sea was important.
To the east of the fortress was a large parade ground.
A Mansio (a guesthouse for senior visitors) was built south of the fortress. The Settlement expanded west, south to the bridge and to the east.
With the legion away from the fortress the community outside must have suffered economically. The settlement east of the fortress does not seem to have been affected, probably having established itself as a regional market place
A section of the settlement south east of the fortress was destroyed by fire, probably accidental with timber properties. The area west of the fortress also continued north and south of the large external bathhouse and the road to the harbour with a cemetery North West of the fortress, with numerous artefacts now displayed in the Governor Museum.
With the return of the Legion Roman Chester became very prosperous, and increased to justify the title of town with the main commercial east of the fortress bisected by a road leading from the Eastgate for 700ft with decorated stone pavement.
In the west, east of the Roodee is the quay wall, built with monumental sandstone blocks, running 820ft, 8ft thick with 5ft concrete backing. Furthermore, the wall is now 15ft underground. There is no dating evidence but likely 3rd century. The quay wall was a defence and flood prevention wall. If the garrison disappeared it is likely that settlement continued, with reduced numbers and fortress continued to provide safety from seaborn raiders
Amphitheatre
Close to south east corner of the fortress was built a large Amphitheatre. It is in the middle of a large roundabout. When a by-pass was needed, it would have gone through the ruins of the Amphitheatre, the sensible answer was a roundabout, which was the trigger for conserving the site in the early 1930s, It was 190ft by 160ft with stone walls with an earth bank, soon replaced with a narrow wooden seat area only 22ft wide around the oval amphitheatre, which was built at the end of 1st century by XX legion. The amphitheatre was the largest in Britain.
In 120 AD it was abandoned with the Legion continually posted away from the fortress.
About the time of the fortress revitalised with the return of the legion, work was undertaken in the early 3rd century, the amphitheatre was reconstructed with new higher outer walls with the seating area increased to 50 ft .up from the arena. Its new higher walls housed the increased seating to 7,000.
The walls were plastered and pained a reddish brown to give a marbled effect. The floor was covered in yellow sand to prevent slipping in the arena.
Visible Remains
Click on the picture and then click on the number for full description of a particular site.
Grosvenor Museum Roman Collection
Good collection of tombstones the website is here
A list of all inscriptions can be found here
Many of the inscriptions can be seen in the Grosvenor
Museum,here is a list.
For more detail David Mason Click
Roman Chester: Fortress at the Edge of the World: