Edges of Empire: Rome's Northernmost Town
Dan Snow's History Hit
History Hit
4.7 • 13.7K Ratings
🗓️ 2 February 2021
⏱️ 25 minutes
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Summary
Roughly two miles south of Hadrian’s Wall lie the remains of Roman Corbridge, the northernmost town of the Roman Empire. The site’s archaeology is unique. The remains highlight what was once a bustling town. As its centre was the high street. Covered walkways, street-side shops and an ornate fountain are just a few of the structures that we know were present along this central road, now known as the Stanegate. Metres away, however, you have the remains of very different structures surviving. Military buildings, ‘mini forts’ that were slotted into Corbridge’s bustling town landscape, when the legionaries returned here in the 2nd century. Though not on Hadrian’s Wall itself, this ancient cosmopolitan town had strong economic connections with those manning this frontier. It is a must-see site for anyone planning to visit Hadrian’s Wall.
A few months back, I was fortunate enough to visit Corbridge and be shown around the site by English Heritage curator Dr Frances McIntosh.
The full tour / documentary can be viewed on History Hit TV. Hadrian’s Wall: Settlement and Supply: https://access.historyhit.com/videos/settlement-and-supply
The site of Corbridge Roman Town is owned by English Heritage https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/corbridge-roman-town-hadrians-wall/
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Transcript
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| 0:41.2 | Two miles south of Hadrian's Wall is the remains of Roman Courbridge. |
| 0:48.5 | This has the unbelievably cool distinction of being the northernmost town of the Roman |
| 0:54.1 | Empire. |
| 0:59.1 | Well, before you stop me, obviously, the Ansonine invasion of Scotland saw Roman forces march north |
| 1:00.0 | of Hadrian's Wall, but this town was a enduring bustling Roman settlement. |
| 1:05.6 | And as such was the northernmost town of the Roman Empire. |
| 1:08.8 | We're going with it. |
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