Date:

Isca Augusta – The Roman Legionary Fortress

Isca Augusta, also called Isca Silurum, and Carleon Roman Fortress is an archaeological site and the remains of a large legionary fortress located in present-day Carleon, Wales.

Isca Augusta was founded around AD 74 by the then governor of Britain, Sextus Julius Frontinus, to support the Roman campaigns in subjugating the native tribes of Wales that had resisted Roman rule.

- Advertisement -

The early fort would mark the foundations of one of only three permanent legionary fortresses constructed in Britannia (other legionary bases were moved according to strategic necessity), with Isca Augusta being the main headquarters of the Legio II Augusta (Legio Secunda Augusta, “Augustus’ Second Legion”).

The Legio II Augusta dates back to the late Republican era, and had campaigned in Hispania Tarraconensis during the Cantabrian Wars, Germania during Germanicus’s war against the Germanic tribes, and was one of the four legions used during Claudius’s invasion of Britannia.

mage Credit : Nilfanion – CC BY-SA 4.0

Isca Augusta was constructed in the typical legionary “playing-card” shape that covered an area of 50 acres, using turf, clay, and timber for a wooden palisade. By around AD 100, these fortifications were replaced with stone walls and towers, with the addition of a stone revetment. By this period, most of Wales was under Roman occupation, with the fortress serving as the regional headquarters for 5,000 soldiers, supported by a series of smaller forts dotted across southern Wales.

The interior followed the standard plan for contemporary legionary fortresses, totally self-contained, and laid out with long narrow barrack-blocks to house the main garrison, with supporting bathhouses, a hospital, workshops, blacksmiths, and granaries.

- Advertisement -

Outside the western approach, a large oval amphitheatre was constructed (known locally in folklore as “King Arthur’s Round Table”), with studies revealing a multi-phase structure built on raised earthen foundations with masonry walls.

mage Credit : Nilfanion – CC BY-SA 4.0

The fortress remained in continuous use until around AD 300, when the main structures were demolished, possibly as a result of the usurpers Carausius or Allectu’s attempt to seize power in Britannia.

Some of the buildings continued to be occupied as late as AD 380 (most likely by inhabitants of the adjacent vicus), with the Notitia Dignitatum documenting the redeployment of Legio II Augusta to Rutupiae (Richborough Castle) during the 4th century.

Header Image Credit : Nilfanion – CC BY-SA 4.0

- Advertisement -

Stay Updated: Follow us on iOS, Android, Google News, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, TikTok, LinkedIn, and our newsletter

spot_img
Mark Milligan
Mark Milligan
Mark Milligan is a multi-award-winning journalist and the Managing Editor at HeritageDaily. His background is in archaeology and computer science, having written over 8,000 articles across several online publications. Mark is a member of the Association of British Science Writers (ABSW), the World Federation of Science Journalists, and in 2023 was the recipient of the British Citizen Award for Education, the BCA Medal of Honour, and the UK Prime Minister's Points of Light Award.
spot_img
spot_img

Mobile Application

spot_img

Related Articles

Waves reveal ancient petroglyphs on Hawaiian Island

A collection of ancient petroglyphs has been revealed on Oʻahu’s west shore as a result of natural coastal processes.

Submerged monumental stone mounds remain a mystery

In 2015, archaeologists discovered 170 submerged stone cairns beneath the waters of Lake Constance, a central European lake that borders Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Last stronghold of the Maya rediscovered in Mexican jungle

A multi-national team of archaeologists have rediscovered the lost city of Sak-Bahlán, the last known stronghold of the Lakandon Chʼol Maya rebels in the present-day Mexican state of Chiapas.

Tomb likely belongs to bigamous spouse of King Frederick William II

Archaeologists from the Berlin State Office for Monument Protection have uncovered a tomb during renovation works at the historic Buch Castle Church.

Bronze armour discovery dates from time of Trojan War

Archaeologists from the Brno City Museum have announced the discovery of a bronze armour fragment dating from the Late Bronze Age.

Mysterious rock-cut structures could redefine Madagascar’s historical narrative

A collection of rock-cut structures discovered in the highlands of southwestern Madagascar could redefine Madagascar’s historical narrative and reshape our understanding of the island’s early history.

Grand villa complex unearthed in Tripolis

A team of archaeologists from Pamukkale University have unearthed a grand villa complex spanning 1,500 square metres in the ancient city of Tripolis.

Sprawling castle complex discovered on the Tirişin Plateau

Archaeologists have discovered the remains of a large castle complex with over 50 rooms on the Tirişin Plateau, Türkiye.