gilius Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 Bede says that there were formerly 28 cities in Britain, and also mentions forts. Since we only know of 21 Roman Towns (Bede's Cities) it seems like there's still 7 to be found, so I wonder where they were? Bede states that Caerleon (City of the Legions) was one such city (or Roman Town), and I guess with the recent archaeological discoveries then that is close to being confirmed? Personally, I suspect Corbridge, Carlisle or perhaps somewhere close by like Penrith. Some of the "small towns" may be "potential cities" such as Rochester. Recently a theatre was discovered at Faversham (Durolevum), so a Forum-Basilica may yet to come! Brough? Any other candidates? Possibly somewhere round Lewis perhaps? Another interesting thing reading Bede is that St Martin's Church in Canterbury was most definitely a Roman Church, hence the remains there may actually be a retaining wall of the Roman nave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GhostOfClayton Posted August 7, 2013 Report Share Posted August 7, 2013 Interesting topic. All of your theories hold water, and Brough sprang to my mind also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GhostOfClayton Posted August 7, 2013 Report Share Posted August 7, 2013 Interesting topic. All of your theories hold water, and Brough sprang to my mind also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grondhammar Posted May 7, 2014 Report Share Posted May 7, 2014 I can't speak to other cities, but in The Last Legionary, (p. 70 and elsewhere), Paul Elliott states that Coria/Corbridge was the primary industrial city supplying the fort at Praesidium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonic Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 Does Elliott give any evidence for the claim about Corbridge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grondhammar Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 He doesn't... but on a reread, nor does he use the term "city" but rather "town" in each mention of Corbridge. He doesn't say specifically he's making the distinction between civitas and vicus, but by avoiding "city" he's probably steering away from that particular claim. Sorry for the misinformation there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonic Posted May 9, 2014 Report Share Posted May 9, 2014 Don't worry about the 'misinformation'. Most ancient historians tend to avoid the phrase 'city' for exactly that reason: it also leaves them less open to dispute by other historians with a different view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caldrail Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 I wonder - do these lost cities include those that failed such as Venta Icenum, a town that is only known via archaeology and not linked to a surviving settlement? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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