Legionary Camp Flashcards
(24 cards)
River Dee
- near the fortress
- camp is protected on two sides
- harbour made transport and shipping easier
Vallum
A defensive ditch around the fort
Ramparts
Wide walls, from which soldiers kept watch
How many watchtowers were along the fort walls?
22
Typical shape of the fort
A playing card
Number of acres that the fort occupied
62 acres
Vicus
- civilian settlement that grows around a camp
- basis of early towns
Valetudinarium
Hospital in the Roman camp
Aquila
- golden eagle
- represents the true spirit of Rome and the legion
- kept in the principia
Armentarium
Armoury, where weapons are stored
Horrea
- granaries which store enough grain for 1-2 years
- raised off the ground to keep the grain dry
- overhanging eaves kept rain from getting walls too wet
Principia
- headquarters of the camp
- included basilica for important meetings
- contained sacellum, where Aquila is stored
- contained armentarium and money for soldiers’ pay
Year the camp was built
74 AD
Sacellum
Legionary shrine that held the Aquila
Praetorium
Living quarters of the commander
Amphitheatre
Largest amphitheatre known in Britain - seated 8000 spectators
Nemesis
- goddess of retribution
- worshipped in a shrine at the amphitheatre
Thermae
- bath house in the fort
- used 3 furnaces in a hypocaust system
- 850,000L a day
- sign of Romanisation and keeps soldiers clean and happy
Number of men in the camp
6000
Number of soldiers who shared a room in the barracks
8
Palaestra
Exercise area in the baths, for fitness work and stretches
Veterans
Retired soldiers living in the vicus
Wages / salary
- money was new in ancient Britain
- many young men with lots of money made forts attractive for trade
- soldiers attractive to local girls; prospects of a good future
via Praetoria
Main road leading from main gate to Principia
