[Latin: litus saxonicum]. The name litus saxonicum occurs first in a late Roman historian (Ammianus Marcellinus, xxvii, 8.1, concerning 367 ad), but was probably in use earlier. It denoted the southeastern coastline of Roman Britain, from the Wash to Southampton, and probably about 200 ad onwards these areas were subject to raids from Germanic Saxon pirates. The Roman response was the construction of a series of shore forts, built from the early 3rd century. The forts were massive stone structures, defended by projecting bastions, and characterized by narrow gateways. A comprehensive coastal command developed with appropriate communications and administration, and by 367 was under the direction of a Count (comes). Remains may be seen at Pevensey, Portchester and Richborough.
The Macmillan dictionary of archaeology, Ruth D. Whitehouse, 1983Copied