Roman Camps

Question 1

How many miles could a roman soldier cover in a day (1)

Answer 1

10-20 miles

Question 2

What was the Roman Name for a Camp (1)

Answer 2

Castra

Question 3

What shape were the camps in and how far did they cover (2)

Answer 3

The camps were in a rectangular shape and they covered more than half a square metre

Question 4

Steps to building a temporary camp (4)

Answer 4

1. Outline camp on the surface of the soil
2. Dig a deep ditch ( FOSSA) around 4 sides of the camp. Provided protection from cavalry attack
3. The earth from the digging of the FOSSA was used to build a rampart/ AGGER.
4. On top of the AGGER wooden palisade (vallum) about a metre and a half high would be built from stakes of wood (Valli)

Question 5

What did soldiers carry around with them when they marched (1)

Answer 5

Tools to dig and a couple of pieces of wood to build the vallum.

Question 6

Features of a Permanent Camp (5)

Answer 6

• Had stronger defences
• A wider range of buildings i.e a granary (HORREA) and a hospital (VALETUDIARIUM)
• Stone/turf ramparts
• Stone/wooden buildings
• More comfortable than marching camp.

Question 7

Layout of Camp (6)

Answer 7

• 4 main exits ( 6 in larger camps)
• The main exit faced away from the exit ( PORTA
  DECUMANA). 10th cohort stayed here
• PORTA PRAETORIA closest to the enemy. Commanders
  officers’ quarters here ( PRAETORIUM)
• VIA PRAETORIA led from the PORTA DECUMANA to the
  PRAETORIUM.
• Exit on right = PRINCIPALIS DEXTRA and exit on left = PORTA PRINCIPALIS SINISTRA.
• Main road = VIA PRINCIPALIS

Question 8

Most important buildings/roads in camp (5)

Answer 8

1. Most important building = PRINCIPIE. Here’s where generals/leaders had headquarters. Located at a crossroad between 2 main roads
2. AUGURALEA was the place to take omens
3. Soldiers paraded through the BASILICCA.
4. Announcements took place from the TRIBUNAL
5. THERMAE or bathhouse

Question 9

Settlements around camps (4)

Answer 9

• VICI or settlements often sprung up around camps.
• Merchants came to sell goods
• Many soldiers got girlfriends from neighbouring villages around the camp
• Until 197ad soldiers of the optio rank or below were not allowed to marry