Chester

The site of the Roman headquarters of the 20th Legion. It was an important Roman town but was deserted by the early 5th century. There are a number of Roman remains, including the foundations of the north and east walls. Modern Chester overlies the massive Roman camp (castra) of some 24 hectares, sited strategically on the River Dee. Perhaps already a small fort by 60 AD, the fortress and an aqueduct were firmly established in 76-79. Outside the fortifications lay a civilian settlement, an amphitheater, cemeteries, and quarries. Roman abandonment came about 380.

[Roman Deva]. City in northwest England. Modern Chester overlies a massive Roman camp (castra) of some 24 hectares, sited strategically on the River Dee to control communications with the Northwest and Wales, to separate the warring tribes of the Brigantes and the Ordovices, and to assist the sister camp at Caerleon in the continuing programme of subjugation in Wales. Perhaps already a small fort by ad 60, the fortress was firmly established, as inscriptions show, in a surge of construction in the years 76-79. This initial phase of timber and earthworks was itself subsequently renewed in stone. Water supply by aqueduct was also laid on by 79. The layout, externally and internally, was typically rectilinear, with perimeter wall and ditch, corner towers, a gateway in each side, and intermediate towers. A street grid linked the principal quarters of the camp. Outside the fortifications lay a civilian settlement, an amphitheatre, cemeteries and quarries. Abandonment came about 380.