What are some of the common features of a Roman Castrum?

Plan of forts

• Sources and origins.
• Layout.
• Wall and ditch.
• Interval.
• Streets, gates and central plaza.
• Canteen.
• Major buildings.
• Barracks.

What are the features of a Roman fort?

Roman forts were typically rectangular with rounded corners & protected by palisades, ramparts, towers, & ditches. Smaller forts and military camps were more temporary affairs which provided troops with a safe accommodation while on campaign.

What was the Roman cavalry called?

The Romans always relied on their allies to provide cavalry. These were known as the Foederati. A typical Consular army of the 2nd Punic War would have much more auxiliary cavalry.

What is a Roman Principia?

71AD – 400AD. At the centre of the fortress was the principia, the headquarters where the administration of the legion and religious ceremonies took place. A range of buildings was built on each side of a courtyard, including a great aisled hall, or basilica, which stood where the Minster is today.

What is the meaning of Castra?

Castra. In the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire, the Latin word castrum (plural castra) was a building, or plot of land, used as a fortified military camp. Castrum was the term used for different sizes of camps including a large legionary fortress, smaller auxiliary forts, temporary encampments, and “marching” forts …

What were the main features of the design of a Roman camp?

The fortified Roman camp was either square or rectangular, surrounded by a wall with four gates and a rampart or palisade. Corners of castrum were rounded to make it difficult for enemies to climb the palisade. The camp, which was the seat of legionaries during the winter, was referred to as hiberna.

What does a Roman fort look like?

Roman forts were made up of many different military buildings inside a high wall with a village outside the walls. The shape of most forts was rectangular with rounded corners (like a playing card). Every Roman fort was supposed to have enough grain (to make bread) for six months for its soldiers.

What is a Roman Fortlet?

Roman fortlets are small rectangular enclosures with rounded corners defined by a fortified rampart of turf and earth with one or more outer ditches. The ramparts were originally revetted at the front and rear by timber uprights in shallow trenches and were almost certainly crowned with timber wall walks and parapets.