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After crossing theTyne, it was now a straightforward four mile walk
on to Segedunum
We arrived at Segedunum about and hour behind schedule.
We paid our entry fees. parked our kit and made straight for the museum.
I must admit it's just as impressive
as the viewing tower which dominates the landscape outside.
Which kind of brings it home as to
just how dominating and impressive these Roman Forts
would have been 1,900 years ago... It's fair to say
I did a bit of homework before walking the wall.... But it's not until you begin to
see these
artifacts and the personal items, that the span of time seems to simply
melt away. [Fast paced music playing]
As far as the remains of the fort are concerned....
Well you could say they're a little sparse.... The emphases
at Segedunum is more on the museum exhibits
audio-visual presentations and of course
the reconstructions.... Such as the bath-house....
Which along with the barracks at Arbeia, I'll be saving for a little bit later....
Tell you what.... Here's something I prepared earlier....
Segedunum
The Strong Fort.... Known since 1085
as Walls End.
Built to garrison a Cohort of Equitata
a mixed unit of 480 infantry soldiers
and a 120 cavalry troopers.
Originally the wall terminated at Pons Aelius.
and had reached Cilurnum.... 28 miles away
before the decision to build Segedunum and extend the wall
further East was made.
At Arbeia, we learned that all Roman Forts follow a set
ground plan... So let's take a moment find out what the plan was.
Seen from above, the basic shape of the Fort
resembles that of a Playing Card... And is often referred to
as the classic playing card layout. The Fort at Segedunum
measured some 453 feet or
138 meters North to South.
And 393 feet or
120 meters East to West.
The outer defense ditch was known as
the 'Fossa'. And the defensive wall
was called the 'Vallum'.
The fort at four main sets of gates.
And the word for gate is.. Porta..... The South Gate
would be known as the 'Porta Decuman'.
The North gate.... 'Porta Praetoria'.
The East gate.... 'Porter Principalis Dextra'
And the West gate....
'Porta Principalis Sinistra'.
The forts also had their own internal series of roads.
A main road running all the way through from
East to West.... Passing the Praetorium...
The Principia and the Horrea was known
as the 'Via Principalis'.
A road running from the North gate to the Principia was called....
the 'Via Praetoria'. Another main through-fare
often viewed as the 'Tradesmans' route, ran from the South gate to the rear of the
Principia and it allowed access to the Horrea.
And was known as the 'Via Decumana'.
Our next road.... The 'Via Sagularis'.
Ran uninterrupted around the Inter-vallum defenses.
The 'Via Quintana' was a minor
access road.... Immediately South of the three principal buildings.
And finally, we have the minor
access routes which would have run between barracks and
other buildings which would have been referred to as
'Viae Vicinariae'.
I've already mentioned the three principal buildings within the fort
the Praetorium, Principia and
the Horrea, which we will explore in more detail
as I journey further along Hadrian's Wall....
But I would like to quickly draw your attention to this building....
The 'Valetudinarium'.
Today, we would call it the Medic Center. An Infirmary or Hospital for soldiers and
other military personnel.
By having a standard plan and layout for their Forts....
Which incidently the Romans called
'Castra', meant that soldiers of the Empire could be sent to any Castra
a know immediately where everything is located.
Time was pressing, but we wanted to visit the exposed section of the wall which was
about 100 yards due West
of the museum..... Well it's just our luck. We got to Segedunum at
4 o'clock.... Spent an hour going round it....
Quite an interesting place... But we wanted to come down
the road a little bit further on to this reconstruction wall.
there is something here which is to do with the post-holes
which lay down there.... Anyway....
I'll tell you all about those now.
Back in the late 1980's.... Archaeological Excavations
revealed this section of Hadrian's Wall built
from stone.... But surprisingly, they also revealed
a series of post-holes...... Structural Archaeologist
Geoff Carter has a theory that these post-holes represents
the remains of a wooden wall, which predates the stone wall
and could have possibly extended
most or even all of the way to the West coast.
Well, that's one theory.... Perhaps these post-holes
are the footprints of a wooden wall but, given the decision to build Segedunum
appears to be one made in haste, maybe it was built
as a temporary measure.... To afford protection
whilst the stone wall was being built.... And only extended
as far as Pons Aelius.... That could suggest
Romes response to a recent act of rebellion
or an up-rising by local British tribes
[Ancient Tribal Music Plays]
The day's have past... To these eyes it appears as though the Men of Rome have
raised a Monster from its slumber...
From the point where 'Udos'... The God of light sets forth upon his
journey across the heavens... To the point
at which his journey end.... This snake of
stone now lays its belly on the very land in which the bones of our Ancestors
once rested... And upon its back
these Men of Rome do strut like Ants of the forrest....
Boastfully protecting their nest....
What powers have their Gods that lets these mortal men
seize the lands of our Forefathers?
In number they are many and we are few
But as a Warrior... Who has knelt many times before the stone alter of Fionn....
My blood boils at what I see before me.
Men of Rome... You've built your wall.... Staked your claim
and made your statement.... Now hear mine....
For so long as my eyes are offended... Venture from beyond your wall
and I shall gather unto me an my warriors.....
Many Eagles of Gold.