Verulamium

Cards (18)

  • Verulamium
    A prominent Celtic Iron Age settlement for the Catuvellauni, before becoming a Roman municipium
  • Verulamium
    • Evidence of Rome-Belgic, Celtic farming settlements under Roman villas (Park St)
    • Coin minting site and powerhouse for the Catuvellauni
    • Belgic buildings dating by Belgic pottery sherds and floors of chalk, timber framed structures
    • Succeeded by a Claudian rampart with gravel floors and wall trenches
  • Catuvellauni
    they were farmers who, traded wheat for olive oil, metalwork and pottery (e.g. Amphorae)
  • Catuvellauni
    Had good relations with nearby tribes Trinovantes and Iceni, as well as those across the sea as evidenced by the Belgic pottery (not native)
  • Roman forum

    • Marketplace, social space, political gatherings
    • Courtyard house, have pades (court for the King/emperor?)
    • Shrine to Capitoline triad?
    • Shrine to the Imperial cult?
  • Roman basilica

    • Inscription to Emperor Titus above the entrance
  • Roman temple

    • Believed to be dedicated to Mercury (Hermes), god of commerce, appropriate for the market town
  • Roman theatre

    • Used for plays, pantomimes, choral events, orations
  • Triangle temple at entrance

    • Dedicated to Cybele, goddess of nature and ferocity (agriculture), worship included pine cones and sacrifice
  • Private household shrines

    • For ancestors or favourable gods, found by mini clay/bronze figures (Mercury, Venus, Heracles)
  • Roman baths

    • Caldarium (hot water room), Tepidarium (warm room), Frigidarium (cold room), Apodyterium (changing room), Natatio (open swimming pool), Laconia and Sudatorium (dry and wet sweating rooms), Rooms for massage
  • Roman townhouses and villas
    • Made from bricks, stone, with verandahs and buttresses, wealthy residences had mosaics, hypocausts and private baths
  • Town walls built in 3rd century, presumably for defense
  • Verulamium was a thriving center with amenities like a forum, basilica, theater, and temples.
  • It was founded by the Catuvellauni tribe around 50 BC as a trading post along the river.
  • There were also public buildings like the Roman Baths, which provided hot and cold water facilities for hygiene and relaxation purposes.
  • The Triple Temple dedicated to Cybele, the goddess of nature and fertility, served as an important religious site for the community.
  • The city grew rapidly under Roman rule, becoming an important administrative center and commercial hub.