Isca Silurum
Isca Silurum, known today as Caerleon, is an ancient Roman fort located in southeast Wales along the River Usk, in the territory of the Silures tribe. Established as a legionary headquarters during the Roman conquest of Wales around AD 74/75, it replaced Isca Dumnoniorum (modern Exeter) as the base for Roman military operations. The fort initially featured timber defenses, which were later enhanced with stonework, and the site has undergone various repairs throughout its history, especially during the Severan and Valerian periods.
The remains of Isca Silurum include significant structures such as the praetorium (commander's residence), administrative headquarters, barrack blocks, a hospital complete with an operating theater, and facilities for recreation, including a palaestra. The adjacent civilian settlement, known as canabae, housed temples dedicated to various deities, although it remained modest in size due to the proximity of the larger town of Venta Silurum (Caerwent). Notably, the site also features an amphitheater and bathing facilities, indicating its multifaceted use for military and civilian purposes. While Isca Silurum has been traditionally viewed as the seat of an archbishopric, this claim is considered unlikely by historians.
Isca Silurum
(Caerleon)
Situated in the territory of the Silures (southeast Wales), on a river of the same name (Usk). Isca was made the headquarters of a legion (moved from Isca Dumnoniorum [Exeter] by Sextus Julius Frontinus during his conquest of Wales in AD 74/75; perhaps part of the legion had already been there from c 56). Originally built of timber banked up with clay, the defences of Silurian Isca were strengthened with stonework (99/100), and after a period of decline were again repaired under the Severi and Valerian (253–60); though before the end of the third century, and probably earlier, the legion had gone. Its allocation to provinces corresponded with that of Isca Dumnoniorum (qv). Isca Silurum was traditionally believed to have been the seat of an archbishopric, but this is unlikely.
Surviving remains of the stronghold, which has been carefully explored, include the legionary commander's residence (praetorium), administrative headquarters (principium), with internal colonnades, barrack-blocks, hospital (with operating theater), cook-houses, latrines, large drill-hall, heated baths, and building for athletics and wrestling (palaestra). An adjoining civilian settlement (canabae), which remained small because the town of Venta Silurum [Caerwent] was not far away, is shown by inscriptions to have included temples of Diana, Mithras and Jupiter Dolichenus. An amphitheater (no doubt for purposes of military training) and bathing establishment are just outside the fortress wall, and wharves have been excavated on the river.