Roman Corbridge and the Corbridge Hoard: Reconstructing the World of Roman Britain

Parker Leep

doi:10.21061/vtuhr.v6i0.2

Abstract

The last vestiges of the Roman-British world exist throughout modern day Britain and Scotland, ranging from coin hoards in the countryside to Roman urban remains in modern English cities. In particular, the Roman town of Corbridge in northeastern England played an important role throughout the history of Roman Britain and also is home to a variety of material culture evidence that has helped shape how the modern world views and understands Roman Britain. By examining modern Corbridge, its history, and the Corbridge Hoard, one can reconstruct and better understand the Roman world of Britain during this period both militarily and culturally.

Highlights

The last vestiges of the Roman-British world exist throughout modern day Britain and Scotland, ranging from coin hoards in the countryside to Roman urban remains in modern English cities
While Corbridge is better known as a military site and for its role in Roman Britain’s military history, the civilian town surrounding the fort played an important role during the Roman period and helps reveal what civilian towns and life were like in Roman Britain
The Corbridge Hoard has proven valuable by assisting in both understanding and reconstructing the military and cultural worlds of Roman Britain and the Roman Empire

Summary

Introduction

The last vestiges of the Roman-British world exist throughout modern day Britain and Scotland, ranging from coin hoards in the countryside to Roman urban remains in modern English cities. The town had both military and cultural importance during the Roman era, serving as a supply depot for the Roman military and a strategic outpost along the Stanegate Frontier prior to the construction of the Hadrian’s Wall Frontier, begun in 122 BCE.1 Archeological evidence shows that the first Corbridge fort dates to the late first century, in the midst of the Roman governor Agricola’s campaigns into northern Britain and Scotland.

Results

Conclusion