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In respect to the usual character of the site chosen for Roman encampments, the following remarks of Horsley may be received as satisfactory: "There is nothing that the Romans seem to have had a greater regard to, than the convenience of a river, and perhaps, too, the additional strength which it afforded. For the benefit of the meridian sun, which they must need who came from so much warmer a climate, they usually had their stations and outbuildings on the north side of the rivers, and on a gentle declivity. In some instances they chose higher ground, for dryness and prospect. And, as oft as they could, they seem willing to have joined these together."*

From these circumstances of configuration and locality of site, the Roman camp, as to its general character, may be readily distinguished from that of the other nations connected, in a military capacity, with this island. In a subsequent page it will be shewn that the castrametations formed by the Romans were frequently adopted, and altered, by the different invading powers which succeeded that people in an ascendancy over the British. But, still, the remains of Roman castra, free from marks of innovation, and venerable in the ruinous character imparted by abandonment and time ouly, occur in nearly every part of Britain. The antiquary regards them with curious attention; nor are the pleasures of such a contemplation confined to him who valucs the relics of other days, merely because they are antiquities. The splendour of Roman story has awakened many of the nobler sensations in the mind of the general student. It became familiar with us in the class books of our boyhood, and mixed with our early sympathies. There are few who view, for the first time, a castrametation assuredly Roman, without a thrill of exquisite pleasure at beholding, free from the necessity of foreign travel, a memorial of the people who spread civilization in the same progress with victory, and bestowed a knowledge of the useful

Horsley. Brit. Rom. p. 109-110,

useful and elegant arts, as a compensation for the severities in. flicted by their arms.

The following extract of Josephus may not be unacceptable to the ardent views of such an examiner, since it traces the castrum of the Romans, even to the halt of the legion which might form an intrenchment for the security of a Cæsar, or an Agricola, in the repose of adventurous marches.-It, indeed, peoples to the imagination such extensive works, now dreary, aud overgrown with wild shrubs or moss; and conveys, in vivid imagery, distinct notions of the general bustle which prevailed at taking possession of the camp, aud of the excellent order with which affairs were afterwards disposed:

"As soon as the Romans have marched into an enemy's land, they do not begin to fight, till they have walled their camp about; nor is the fence they raise, rashly made, or uneven. Nor do they all abide in it: nor do those that are in it take their places at random. If it happens that the ground is uneven, it is first levelled. Their camp is square by measure; and carpenters are ready, in great numbers, with their tools, to erect their buildings for them.

"As for what is within the camp, it is set apart for tents; but the outward circumference hath the resemblance to a wall; and is adorned with towers at equal distances; whilst, between the towers, stand the engines for throwing arrows, and darts, and for slinging stones; and there they lay all other engines that can annoy the enemy, all ready for their several operations.

"They also erect four gates, one at every side of the circumference; and those large enough for the entrance of beasts, and wide enough for making excursions, if occasion should require. They divide the camp within into streets, very conveniently; and place the tents of the commanders in the middle: but, in the midst of all, is the General's own tent, in the nature of a temple.

"In short, the whole appears to be a city, built on a sudden;

with

with its market place, and place for handicraft trades; and with seats (or stations) for the officers, superior and inferior: where, if any differences arise, their causes are heard and determined.

"The camp, and all that is in it, is encompassed with a wall; and that sooner than one would imagine;-by the multitude and the skill of the labourers. And a trench is drawn round the whole, whose depth is four cubits, (i. e. six feet,) and its breadth equal.

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They live together in the camp, by companies. And each company hath its wood, and corn, and water, brought to it as is needful. And they neither sup nor dine as they please themselves singly; but all together.

"When they are to go out of their camp, the trumpet gives a sound: and instantly they take down their tents, and all is made ready for their march. When the trumpet sounds again, they lay their baggage suddenly upon their mules, and other beasts of burden, and stand as at a place of starting, ready to march. At the same time setting fire to their camp. And when the trumpet sounds a third time, a crier, standing at the General's right hand, asks them thrice, whether they are ready. On which they, all lifting up their right hands, answer, we are ready; and march forth directly, without noise, and keeping their ranks." "'*

In addition to the lively, but general, terms of the above description, it is desirable to examine into the particular arrangement of the Roman camps; and to complete, as far as may be practicable, the mournful pleasure arising from a contemplation of such ruined works, by stating the modes in which the outlines were fortified, and the interior divided and occupied. The regular and great stationary camp was encompassed by a lofty

King, apud Josephus de Bello Jud. lib. III. cap. 5 sec. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. It will be obvious that this description more immediately applies to the temporary camps formed by the Romans on their marches; but it elucidates, in a curious and satisfactory manner, many of the operations usual with them in the general commencement of military works.

a lofty and massive wall, composed of stone, or of mingled stone, flint, and brick; and was further defended by a deep single, or double fosse. A correct idea of the general character of the wall surrounding such a castrum, may be formed from the following notice of a portion still remaining at Richborough, in Kent, one of the best preserved, and most curious, of these military vestiges: "On approaching the ruins the eye is struck with the magnificent appearance of the north-eastern wall, which is, on the outside, in some parts near 30 feet high from the ground, and in many others about 23. Its thickness at bottom is in general from 11 to 12 feet; but it is, in some parts, even 13 feet. A manifest proof that they did not, in those days, build by so regular and exact a rule as has been the custom in modern times.* Its contents, also, are a proof of the same fact:-For it is constructed, indeed, of regular facings of alternate rows of squared stone and brick on the two outside surfaces; but, within, between these two uprights, it is composed merely of chalk, rubble, and flints, flung in carelessly, with cement, or mortar, spread over them at proper distances, so as to sink into the whole mass; in which respect it exactly resembles walls constructed by the Romans in many other places.

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"The outside of this wall is very beautiful to the eye, as well as magnificent. It is composed (as far as now remains) in general, of seven great and fair distinct rows of stone, each of them very nearly four feet thick:-and each of them consisting, in general, of seven courses of separate stones.

"These great courses of stone are separated from each other by six smaller courses of bricks, composed each merely of a double row of bricks, that are about an inch and a half, or an inch and three quarters in thickness, but are of very different breadths, from eight inches to a foot; and of very different lengths, some being fourteen, some sixteen inches long, and some seventeen

and

It may be observed that the Romans were quite neglectful of minute precision in disposing the form and lines of their camps. The sides are often of an unequal length; and not straight, or set square.

and an half. A variation of dimensions to be met with in other Roman structures.—In the old wall of Verulam was a brick very nearly two feet in length; and there is one at Dover near three feet in length."*

On the line of massy wall by which the camps were enclosed, are sometimes discovered the foundations, or remains, of circular towers. These frequently occur at the angles, or on each side of the gate. But it may be observed that the towers usually appear to have been added to the walls after their first erection ; and it is probable that the generality of Roman stations in Britain were originally constructed without such means of defence.

The number, position, and names of the Gates of Roman camps are indistinctly stated by ancient writers; and this want of perspicuity has given rise to considerable differences of opinion amongst the moderns. In number they appear to have been four: the Prætorian gate, which was situated in the front

of

• Munimenta Antiqua, Vol. II. p. 6-7-8. It will be recollected that Roman bricks vary in composition as well as in dimensions. The colour of some is a fine deep red, throughout the whole substance; and these, perhaps, are the most prevalent. Others are red only on the outside, and exhibit a less valuable blue material within. Some are yellow. It is observed that the clay of which they are composed is generally found to be finely tem pered, and well kneaded and burnt. A table, shewing various sizes of Roman bricks discovered in this country, according to the respective state. ments of several modern authors, is given in Archeologia, Vol. II. p. 185.

In the following view of the arrangement of a Roman camp, I have adopted the outline of General Roy, so well known as an experienced engineer and judicious antiquarian writer. For opinions directly in opposition to this received plan, the reader is referred to Munimenta Antiqua, Vol. IJ. p. 13; 143, &c. The whole subject is, indeed, obscure; and is even yet quite open to discussion. In prefacing his plan of a Roman camp, as presented in the " Military Antiquities," General Roy observes, "that, as Polybius is silent with regard to the number, names, and situation of the gates, recourse has been had to Livy and Vegetius; and the plan accordingly formed in the manner that seemed most consistent with what all the three have related of it." Mil. Antiquities, p. 46.

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